Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInPRATTVILLE, Ala. (WSFA) - Possible severe weather conditions on Saturday are forcing the cancelation of Prattville City Fest “We previously communicated that CityFest is a rain-or-shine event,” said Brooke Glover Marketing and Communications Director at the Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce with the arrival of more severe weather including lightning and additional threats to public safety we had to make the incredibly difficult decision to cancel.” Organizers are actively exploring potential rescheduling options “We are incredibly grateful for the community’s support and understanding,” Glover added “We know how much everyone looks forward to CityFest each year.” Not reading this story on the WSFA News App? Get news alerts FASTER and FREE in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store A Prattville woman who was a pedestrian on Eastern Boulevard died May 3 after being struck by a vehicle MPD and Fire Medics responded to the single-vehicle collision involving a pedestrian at the 1000 block of Eastern Boulevard who sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene The vehicle was located a short time after faces felony charges related to leaving the scene of an accident and placed in the Montgomery County Detention Facility Details of how Panuceno's vehicle allegedly came to strike Barclay have not been released by MPD Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel can be contacted at sheupel@gannett.com Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInPRATTVILLE, Ala. (WSFA) - We stopped in Prattville for our latest Hometown Tour WSFA 12 News was in town to help kickoff the 37th annual Prattville CityFest and to highlight some of the people and places that make the city special Not reading this story on the WSFA News App? Get news alerts FASTER and FREE in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store Many newcomers to Prattville may not even know that the Boys and Girls Club once existed in a city-owned building located at 869 Jensen Road Today it is the home of Prattville Head Start and Pre-K programs When the Head Start in Autaugaville lost their building around 2018 had been working to find a way to use the former Boys and Girls club facility “During my 2016 campaign for the city council I made a public pledge to bring the long-shuttered Boys & Girls Club back to life It was more than a promise—it was a personal mission with the facility occupied by Head Start and Pre-K I view this achievement as one of many campaign promises fulfilled Remembering that children are our future—in this community and beyond is always essential Actual economic development begins with education,” Jackson told the EAN the backbone of all the successful cities and communities in our state is education I will not waver in my pursuit to ensure that each child in this community has access and availability to quality he was part of a committee to find an occupant for the building.  Other committee members included Mayor Bill Gillespie former assistant Police Chief Diane Thomas “I am grateful for their willingness to serve the community invested over $800,000 in renovations and expansions I am proud that this once-empty building is filled with energy It stands as a powerful symbol of what local leadership The EAN recently visited the Head Start facility meeting with managers We learned that families with children who qualify for the program receive all services FREE The only thing not included is transportation Officials said they hope to be able to expand the program over time to bring more possibilities according to Marcia Jackson the Regional Director of Alabama First Class Pre K everything is free including formula and diapers Services for Head Start and Early Head Start are offered at the Prattville facility from 8 a.m with a 100 percent score from the Autauga County Health Department Many classes had created cards and signs thanking Jackson for his continued support of the program We appreciate Center Manager Kemberlyn Bailey praising them for their attentiveness to the children Wonderful smells were coming from the kitchen area as we learned that staff provides two meals a day and a snack to children Monday through Friday We were assured a lot of love goes into those meals Outside there are two different playground areas that have recently been upgraded but all spoke of the success of the program and how there is a very long waiting list for parents who want their child to attend Officials are currently interested in finding additional locations to fill the need we found was an amazing partnership of multiple agencies and individuals working together Shatavia Holmes is the Regional Head Start Director and how it was designed to help children in poverty with education “The mission for Head Start is that we service low-income families and the children who otherwise would not get a ‘Head Start’ We provide services such as health screenings Holmes said they have a phenomenal parent involvement “We have parent involvement twice a month in our centers one for male involvement and one for families We make sure we contact our schools and liaisons to ensure that our children are school ready,” Holmes said The Prattville facility is one of three sites that offer Pre-K nine counties are covered with16 centers in west and central Alabama Trishunda Davenport is the Regional Education Manager for Head Start Early SR program “We provide the creative curriculum where children learn from play The teachers are asking them high order thinking questions to get them to think on the next level,” she said She said that the program also serves children with disabilities all teachers are required to have a degree in education Karen Evans is the Regional Eligibility Selection Enrollment Recruitment and Attendance manager we service the families with the biggest need we go by their income or proof of public assistance or families experiencing kinship or foster care,” she said We let parents know how important attendance is so when they transfer to the public school system they are aware of the attendance policies.” She said enrollment for the central region is at 99.61 percent Lindy Tucker is the assistant program manager and family advocate for the central region “Every month we do something special with our families and work with our pregnant mothers in the program Shakita Croom is also a family advocate at the Prattville center She wears many hats but also helps with enrollment and recruitment We have children here from six weeks to five years of age.” Yolanda Adams is the Executive Director of the Family Guidance Center of Alabama said “We really want to service those children on the waiting list We are looking for another facility to house these children When we had to close the Autaugaville location a lot of those families are no longer receiving services we can provide those additional services for families in need.” Officials also talked at length about kids that transition from Head Start to elementary schools They work closely with the elementary school program to have the children meet their future teachers We know families may have different barriers.” Adams said programs are in place cover many issues including help with getting jobs for parents My biggest push right now is if anyone has additional locations we can talk about There are a lot of kids out there not getting the services they need,” Adams said We have asked the officials to keep us updated about future events There are many stories to be told about the successful Head Start programs in our area If you have any ideas for facilities in our area that are currently available For more information about the creation of Head Start, visit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_Start_(program) he said he continues to look for show the results of vision persistence and hard work on behalf of citizens of District 2 “This project was not only about educating children but also about putting people to work The renovation of this building has created meaningful jobs for community members projects and lives were hit with a major roadblock with the onset of a global pandemic.  Local potter Julianne Hansen decided to take advantage of her skills and a vacant green space in Historic Downtown Prattville to honor our fallen military for Memorial Day by “planting” a field of bright red handmade stoneware poppies.  Each poppy represented someone who had served in the armed forces at some point in their lives but are now no longer living.  As the event drew near all traditional Memorial Day events and activities were canceled.  She felt because of the outdoor nature and the ability to safely observe the exhibit without being in close proximity with others her display could continue.  It did.  With her first exhibit and corresponding website handmade stoneware poppies – many displaying a white satin ribbon with an “honoree” name written in gold attached to the poppy’s stem The first ribbon placed was in honor of Steven’s late son the exhibit continued with one major difference Hansen decided to increase the number to reflect the current year.  Symbolizing the fact that we honor all those who have served and given the ultimate sacrifice for our country but we must not forget those in harm’s way and possibly giving their lives today.  Each year since she has increased the poppy display to replace those who have purchased poppies and added one more for the current year.  The display has drawn visitors from all over Alabama and each of the neighboring states traveling to Prattville just to see this moving tribute due to construction on both sides of “the poppy field” as many locals call it the Hansen’s felt the atmosphere would not reflect the reverence needed to host this solemn event and a search of other possible locations just didn’t’ feel logistically or aesthetically appropriate “We may not have a field of poppies this year but this will not change the feelings of gratitude we have in our hearts for all men and women who have served and are no longer living.  The poppies will be scattered this year bringing comfort and remembrance to anyone who sees them”.  The added benefit of shade and air conditioning will be a wonderful benefit that she and the many volunteers and attendees have not enjoyed for the past 5 years each night of the Alabama Poppy Project display will present a video visible from the public sidewalk in front of her store Hansen Fine Art & Pottery located on the corner of Bridge Street and Main Streets featuring a brief history of the Memorial Poppy along with photos of those individuals being honored through Poppy Sponsorship in 2025 The 2025 Alabama Poppy Project indoor display will Run from National Poppy Day Address:  Julianne Hansen Fine Art & Pottery: 173 W Sponsor a poppy at www.alabamapoppyproject.com Call 334.301.0336 to sponsor over the phone dedication ribbon and memorial page on the website All stoneware poppies are suitable for indoor or outdoor display Today’s Prattville CityFest has been canceled due to the chance for rain and storms in the area The Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce made the announcement “We previously communicated that CityFest is a rain-or-shine event,” said Brooke Glover with the arrival of more severe weather including lightning and additional threats to public safety we had to make the incredibly difficult decision to cancel.” and performers remains the Chamber’s top priority Organizers are actively exploring potential rescheduling options and will provide updates as soon as more information becomes available “We are incredibly grateful for the community’s support and understanding,” Glover added “We know how much everyone looks forward to CityFest each year For updates, please follow Prattville CityFest on social media or visit www.prattvillecityfest.com 8 On Your Side i-Team Saving Selma Pay It Forward What the Tech Mugshots Prattville police say eight people have been arrested in a child sex sting operation with the help of federal investigators and Millbrook police say they conducted the sting on March 28-30 undercover officers posed as children under the age of 16 and chatted with possible child sex predators via electronic devices police say multiple offenders agreed to meet with the children and exchange money for sexual acts The Prattville Police Department was able to arrest eight suspects who they say agreed to the act and travelled to a location to meet the children The suspects have been identified as: Austin Kinsley police say Strizic was a middle school music teacher in Wisconsin The school he was employed with has been notified of the arrest Police also say Berrera tried to escape after being handcuffed but was quickly stopped Police say more charges are pending against the suspects They say there are also additional suspects that may be charged once more evidence is collected Prattville police say they try to keep these details quiet as to not warn the potential suspects that they are about to be captured The Prattville Police Department says it appreciates the relationship they share with most of the media outlets in the area who were understanding when details were not released It says details on this operation were shared by a news outlet in an uninvolved city so The Prattville Police Department is now releasing this information to all of our media partners This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page elected officials from Elmore County and the City of Prattville will join community leaders and development partners for the official groundbreaking of Riverfell—a transformative $500 million mixed-use development Set against the scenic Alabama River and adjacent to the renowned Robert Trent Jones at Capitol Hill Golf Course Riverfell is a 232-acre master-planned mixed-use development that thoughtfully integrates commercial pedestrian friendly community.  The development will feature: •             More Than 450 Thoughtfully Designed Single-Family Homes •             350 Luxury Multifamily Residences •             92,000 Square Feet of Boutique Retail and Dining Destinations •             Up to 200,000 Square Feet of Commercial Space •             Three Class-A Medical Office Towers Totaling 160,000 Square Feet •             A 120-Bed Upscale Assisted Living Community •             A Branded Daycare and Early Childhood Development Center •             A Boutique Hotel Featuring Spa Amenities •             Potential Riverside Landing with Marina Access (Currently Under Discussion) “This groundbreaking represents more than development—it affirms our commitment to building a lasting legacy,” said Bradley Neave “Riverfell is positioned as a catalyst for regional transformation embracing proven town-and-country planning principles that will drive economic growth and elevate the quality of life for both residents and visitors.” Riverfell continues to attract significant interest from investors and national businesses thanks to its scale and designation as an Opportunity Zone —a federal program offering tax benefits to those investing in long-term community growth Riverfell will stand among the largest single-site Opportunity Zone developments in the nation Halieus is a Real Estate Development Firm with a Vision that Extends Beyond Conventional Practices Specializing in Opportunity Zones and Improvement Districts Halieus Builds Success by Actively Engaging Key Stakeholders Municipal Authorities and the Local Community – Ensuring Each Project Drives Regional Growth While Delivering Meaningful Impact Local and county leaders joined developers and community members this week to mark the official groundbreaking of Riverfell a $500 million mixed-use development set to transform the region along the Alabama River This project has undergone a lengthy planning phase and when developers first presented the plans to the Elmore County Commission “Some of the words we used were wow and aggressive and it’s a very exciting day for Elmore County and also for the City of Prattville,” Chairman of the Elmore County Commission Bart Mercer said Located beside the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Capitol Hill the 232-acre Riverfell project will bring a mix of residential and hospitality offerings to the City of Prattville The master-planned community is designed to promote walkability and connectivity with a pedestrian-friendly town center serving as its core “Thank you for being a part of Prattville,” Mayor Bill Gillespie said “These mixed-use opportunities for our citizens are a statement of commitment to structured growth and fulfilling a need in our community Riverfell isn’t just about buildings and enhancing the quality of life for everyone who calls Prattville home not only Prattville but the surrounding areas.” Plans for Riverfell include more than 450 single-family homes 92,000 square feet of boutique retail and dining and up to 200,000 square feet of commercial space The development will also house three Class-A medical towers totaling 160,000 square feet a branded daycare and early childhood development center and a boutique hotel offering spa services developers began shaping a plan to bring the vision of Riverfell to life—one that would ultimately require collaboration among several entities to make it a reality “I can’t tell you how powerful it is to stand on a piece of land and imagine what it may become And Riverfell began as a kind of vision,” Riverfell Developer Bradley Neave said the belief that this land can be thoughtfully planned But that belief requires more than ambition Construction on the first phase is expected to begin soon with full buildout projected over the next 5 to 10 years Riverfell has already generated strong interest from investors and national businesses due in part to its designation as an Opportunity Zone — a federal program that provides tax incentives for long-term investments in underserved areas it is anticipated to be one of the largest single-site Opportunity Zone projects in the country For more details on the Riverfell development, visit www.halieus.com Highway 82 ribbon cutting ceremony held at the Prattville Pentecostal Church 2025 – Photo from the Office of Governor Kay Ivey The ribbon has been cut on an improvement project on U.S Kay Ivey and other state and local dignitaries attended the event this morning outside the Prattville Pentecostal Church The project was one of the projects in the first batch of Rebuild Alabama projects from Gov Ivey and the Alabama Department of Transportation. The stretch covers a long-term widening portion of approximately 2.75 miles from U.S Kelvin Lawrence and Prattville Mayor Bill Gillespie — Information from the Office of Governor Kay Ivey Looking for a fun outdoor event the whole family can enjoy Prattville’s signature community celebration this annual event kicks off Friday evening and individuals of all ages are encouraged to enjoy the festivities “We want everyone to come out,” Patty VanderWal President of the Prattville Chamber of Commerce said.” There will be a variety of arts and crafts serving up delicious cuisine to satisfy every craving and there will also be food vendors on site,” VanderWal said “We will have all kinds of different options.” This year’s CityFest promises a wide variety of activities designed to entertain and engage children of all ages making it a fun-filled event for the whole family “We will have all of those things for children it will be open for kids to enjoy as well.” The excitement starts Friday evening with a free and a fun way to kick off the weekend festivities festivities start early and continue throughout the day “There will be three local bands performing throughout the day,” VanderWal said It will be near all the arts and crafts vendors and food vendors Saturday: The Blackbird Pickers 10-11:30 a.m                        Taylor Bagi Band 12-1:30 p.m                        The Alex Walker Band 2-3:30 p.m please note that the location has changed this year Due to ongoing construction in the downtown area For more information, visit https://www.prattvillecityfest.com/ (WBMA) — A multi-vehicle crash on Tuesday night claimed the life of a Prattville woman and left two others injured The accident occurred at approximately 8:35 p.m about one mile southwest of Maplesville in Chilton County was fatally injured when the 2013 Hyundai Sonata she was driving struck the rear of a 1985 Chevrolet Corvette driven by Shelby T Lugen's vehicle collided head-on with a 2013 Chrysler Town and Country driven by Anna L Walker sustained injuries and was airlifted to the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Hospital for treatment A 17-year-old passenger in the Chrysler was also injured and taken to a local hospital for treatment The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Highway Patrol Division is investigating the crash No further details are available at this time Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInPRATTVILLE, Ala. (WSFA) - The City of Prattville is excited to welcome the arrival of a beloved restaurant chain The city announced Wednesday that First Watch Restaurants has chosen Prattville as the site of their newest location What was formerly the O’Charley’s building a fast-casual eatery serving high-quality breakfast and lunch First Watch chose Prattville citing both its central location in the state and its proximity to an interstate highway “First Watch will be a great addition to the ever-growing restaurant scene in Prattville We are thankful for the investment from First Watch and look forward to its great success,” said Mayor Bill Gillespie Prattville’s First Watch will be the sixth location in Alabama Prattville High School senior Ginny Johnson has been named the Montgomery Advertiser's Student of the Week School leaders say Ginny consistently demonstrates an outstanding work ethic positive attitude and eagerness to help others She is a member of PHS National Honor Society Ginny has shown exceptional leadership as a section leader in the band Her role has allowed her to not only refine her own musical talents but also to guide and mentor younger students Ginny is a member of Prattville First Methodist Church where she participates in the youth choir and youth group Ginny has been accepted to Auburn University and will begin in the fall She plans to major in agriculture communications Student of the Week honors the hard work that high school students across the River Region put into their studies their schools and their greater community every day and it aims to recognize as many awesome high schoolers as possible Every public and private high school in the outer Montgomery area is eligible to nominate one student a week who exemplifies success in academics and community involvement There were 22,978 votes in this week's Student of the Week poll There have been hundreds of thousands of votes for Student of the Week since the beginning of the school year Here is the other accomplished student who was honored by their school with a nomination: Percy Julian High School: Marquis brings enthusiasm and focus to everything he does from his academic work to his active involvement in extracurriculars He has earned multiple certifications in data analytics covering topics like data literacy showcasing his curiosity and drive to build real-world skills Marquis is a member of the fashion and photography clubs and volunteers regularly at events that support the arts and the community His service includes helping behind the scenes at the Montgomery Public Schools Fine Arts Showcase the Alabama Shakespeare Festival and the State Superintendent’s Visual Art Exhibit at the Alabama state Capitol He also took part in his school’s Black History Program and helped prepare and distribute meals to people experiencing homelessness Alex Gladden is the Montgomery Advertiser's education reporter She can be reached at agladden@gannett.com or on Twitter @gladlyalex PRATTVILLE − A new museum planned for downtown Prattville is seeking to preserve the history unique to this Southern city and will serve as an educational center and gathering spot for the community Dubbed "the PRATT," the $10 million proposal shepherded by the Autauga County Heritage Association is touted as a way to preserve Prattville's unique history Daniel Pratt formed the town that now bears his name in 1839 he picked the fall line of Autauga Creek to power his industrial empire The museum complex will sit on about six acres of the sprawling gin shop site downtown It calls for the renovation of the 11,600-square-foot research and development building from the gin shop days to house STEM classrooms Plans also include the construction of a 10,098 square feet museum and 3,200 event hall Outdoor facilities at the museum and event hall will include a canopied picnic area and educational pavilion The event hall will be available for community use and will seat 400 There will be a large kitchen able to handle catering in the hall The building will be located near The Mill the recently opened renovation of the five historic masonry buildings of the gin shop to create loft apartments The building acts as headquarters to the Prattville Fire and Prattville Police departments More: Crowd gets sneak peek at Prattville's $37 million 'gin shop' project the company that traced its roots back to Pratt ended production at the Prattville buildings in 2012 with ACHA pledging about $1.9 million in cash and property where the complex will be built The remaining $7.9 million will be funded through public-private sources A fundraising effort has taken on about $1.35 million with $200,000 from the State of Alabama to back the STEM efforts The ACHA is asking the City of Prattville contribute $2.5 million over a period of five years construction is slated to begin in September with the work completed by October 2026 and a grand opening set for January 2027 ACHA expects 16,000 visitors the first year and up to 20,000 visitors in five years That should create a positive economic impact on an already booming downtown More: As The Mill in Prattville gets new life, interest in downtown development heats up You see Pratt's influence as you walk or ride through downtown His empire set the stage for Prattville to have a unique design and the companies Pratt established mean local historians tout the city as the state's first industrial village At one time it was the largest cotton gin factory in the world A century later that industrial heart still beat strongly and the site built high pressure steam pipes for the Manhattan Project the World War II effort to develop a nuclear bomb Pratt designed his village by the creek in the style he was familiar with the industrial buildings took center stage of the towns Where the traditional Southern way was to make the courthouse square the center of town "We endeavor to create indoor and outdoor gathering places where people can learn,communicate and celebrate as we continue to honor Pratt's legacy in the 'The New EnglandVillage of the South," said David Edgeworth Pratt's efforts went on the include not only cotton gin manufacturing cotton spinning plants and even a brick yard His influence was also felt in Jefferson County where he was instrumental in getting the steel making industry off the ground "Prattville is home to the earliest large industrial site in Alabama," said Ann Boutwell "Daniel Pratt and the industrial empire he launched along Autauga Creek changed the economic landscape of Alabama and industrial village spurred development across Alabama in the mid-1800s in industry Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Marty Roney at mroney@gannett.com PRATTVILLE − Becoming a police officer isn't easy The Prattville Police Department now has four recruits going through training at the Montgomery Police Academy Yet more are choosing it now than in 2020 when anti-law enforcement sentiment was higher nationwide Thompson came to Prattville after retiring as a captain with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office and has nearly four decades in law enforcement "We are seeing that anti-law enforcement outlook ease off a bit," he said even in an Alabama town like Prattville that Thompson said prides itself on maintaining a good relationship between residents and first responders More: Prattville Police Department looking for more officers More: Prominent Montgomery attorney Julian McPhillips dies at 78 They have been members of the department for several weeks Seasoned officers get them as prepared as possible for the rigors and mind games of the academy like polishing the back of your belt buckle to prevent getting gigged during inspection and hitting the ground to pound out 20 or 30 pushups There's the importance of addressing the training cadre with a confident and loud "Sir Ma'am!" response to questions and most situations The mini academy lasts about five weeks and makes a difference one of the four undergoing academy training "I think it gives us a comparative advantage over the other recruits," the 24-year-old said "It gives us an idea what to expect and you understand the importance of noticing the small details More: Alabama manufacturing plant to end operations after almost 50 years and lay off 200 Dane Humphrey is the senior of the academy trainees He worked as a process server before deciding to come to a law enforcement career He will be the third generation to wear the uniform with relatives having worked at police departments in Montgomery and Wetumpka "I think the Prattville department has the reputation and image of having a more elite status," Humphrey said His girlfriend saw on Facebook that PPD was hiring "I'm striving for a different path my family was on," he said "This is a good opportunity to build something had worked for the City of Prattville for about a year in the urban management department before deciding to join the force He knew about the department and the work it did "I think the community as a whole was big in my decision," Bush said Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Marty Roney at mroney@gannett.com PRATTVILLE − The Autauga-Prattville Public Library main branch in Prattville has reopened after repairs but the future of the location is in doubt The branch closed in September after concerns were raised about the structural condition of the building Since then the building has been closed to the public for safety reasons Patrons have been picking up books and other items in the back of the building on the loading dock when most items were removed from the building for the repairs More: Survey teams confirm more Alabama tornado details after Saturday outbreak Mayor Bill Gillespie gave the city council and update on the library during the Tuesday night meeting He stopped short of calling the repairs a "fix," saying the building has been having structural problems since shortly after its construction more than 50 years a go "I'm not one to throw good money after bad," he said of any plans for more extensive repairs to the building president of the library's board of trustees addressed the Autauga County Commission in December and told the board that the building could not be repaired and that a new branch would have to be built The estimate was between $4 million and $6 million The main branch was built in 1972 and has experienced structural and foundation problems for decades Built near the north bank of Autauga Creek the condition of the building has been discussed During World War II a levy was constructed in downtown Prattville to protect the town's gin shop complex from flooding of the creek The complex manufactured war material including bomb casings gun mounts of the Navy and even high pressure steam piping for the Manhattan Project The dirt removed to build the levy was hauled to the current library site and it was not compacted That has led to the long-running foundation problems PRATTVILLE − The Thin Blue Line in Prattville is looking for more help The Prattville Police Department is budgeted for 100 officers Help is in the pipeline with four officers now undergoing police academy training with the current class at the Montgomery Police Academy about month in The command structure of the PPD expects the four in the academy now to make it through training That means six officers are needed to get to full staff "We've changed the way we recruit and where we look for recruits," he said More: Why the badge? New police recruits talk about joining the force looking to draw from the pool of new graduates Job fairs are an established recruiting tool But now a search for potential officers is just as likely to use social media whether its by burning shoe leather or clicking keys on a computer The Prattville Police Department is picky when it comes to hiring recruits Officers must be 21 years old and pass a background check Potential recruits undergo psychological evaluations and their social media history gets a microscopic review − what's been posted Along the way the PPD will check credit and work histories Potential recruits don't have to be athletes but being in good physical condition is a must "It would probably be easier if we didn't have those high standards," Police Chief Mark Thompson said We want officers who will serve the citizens of Prattville well." The outfit has outreach programs to ensure that relationship stays strong with the public More: Justice Department ends investigation into rampant sewage problems in Lowndes County Officers start out at about $51,000 a year The new officers usually go to second or third shift when they get out of the academy and complete local training There are bumps in pay for levels of college education and any previous law enforcement experience and a take-home care if you live within 20 miles of the city He calls the recruiting work "The Law of Halves." "It always works like this," he said "Of the calls and emails from people who say they want to be join the department the (psychiatric evaluation) and the other checks "That's why we prepare them for the academy like we do We want every one who goes to the academy to graduate." Action 8 News is following the story of a hit-and-run wreck in Prattville that turned into a police chase Prattville Police Chief Mark Thompson says it all started when officers tried to stop a vehicle that had been involved in a hit and run on MLK Drive MORE INFORMATION AND VIDEO Thompson says the driver of the car refused to stop and drove onto Interstate 65 toward Montgomery The car entered Montgomery County and now state and county law enforcement agencies are pursuing the vehicle in Montgomery County state troopers joined Prattville police in pursuit of the car The pursuit continued through the City of Montgomery and surrounding areas the driver crashed with a commercial vehicle on U.S The crash resulted in the injury of the driver as well as a passenger in the car The driver was taken to Baptist Medical Center South for treatment The passenger was transported by helicopter to the University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB) Hospital for treatment A multitude of law enforcement agencies responded to assist with the pursuit as well as the crash Troopers with ALEA’s Highway Patrol and Marine Patrol Divisions responded Special Agents with ALEA’s State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) Officers with the Metro Area Crime Suppression Unit (MACS) Officers with the Montgomery Police Department Deputies with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office as well as Officers with the Prattville Police Department all assisted during the course of the incident Transformations will soon begin for the new Spillway Park Improvements in downtown Prattville the City Council awarded the project to Webb Builders at a cost not to exceed $5,423,018.00 The park will feature additional parking for downtown a walking path along 4th Street with green space and an outdoor covered venue with public restrooms Once construction begins, the project is expected to be completed in nine months Stay tuned for updates as we bring these exciting improvements to life PRATTVILLE — Police in Prattville are conducting a death investigation after a man's body was found in a shopping center parking lot Police Chief Mark Thompson confirmed that the man was found dead Saturday morning inside a car which was in the parking lot of The Exchange Shopping Center at the intersection of Cobbs Ford Road and the U.S Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInPRATTVILLE, Ala. (WSFA) - A man is dead and a boy is fighting for his life after a Wednesday morning fire swept through a mobile home the Prattville Fire Department is confirming First responders rushed to the blaze in a mobile home park after a 911 call came in at 9:07 a.m PFD officials said crews arrived within four minutes of the call but found the mobile home already engulfed in flames with heavy smoke and an aggressive primary search was made while crews simultaneously battled the blaze First responders found and rescued a 17-year-old boy and a 48-year-old man Both were immediately given advanced life support care on scene and within five minutes of being pulled from the home had been rushed to Prattville Baptist Emergency Department Investigators have not released the victims’ names but say the man died from his injuries at the hospital The teen has since been flown by medical helicopter to UAB in Birmingham for more treatment The extent of his injuries has not been released The mobile home was located on Summerhill Road The fire department shared photos of the home The fire department said assistance has been offered to the victims’ family through the Autauga County EMA The fire’s cause remains under investigation by the Fire Marshal’s Office one of the victims who was extricated from the fire succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital earlier.. PRATTVILLE − The main branch of the Autauga-Prattville Public Library will be closed indefinitely until a new building can be constructed chairman of the library's board of directors gave an update on the building's condition during a recent Autauga County Commission meeting He told commissioners the current building was inspected by engineers and cannot be repaired A new building would have to be constructed In past commission meetings Boles discussed the possibility of a new building and suggested land the county owns by the courthouse downtown could be donated as a location for any new building A committee will be formed to come up with plans to move forward with the need for a possible replacement going back to the early 1990s There are several empty buildings in town that were grocery or retail stores "I would like to see them work out something to use one of those empty buildings," said Erica Tate and put one of the empty buildings to good use." More: Prefiled Alabama bill would let city and county officials terminate library board members Limited activities are being offered at the main branch building on the side lawn Among those are preschool story time for ages 3-5 at 10:30 a.m each Tuesday and a STEAM activity for ages 7-12 at 3:30 p.m Checked out items can be returned via drop box or back door drop off All branches have a drop box for the return of books and audio materials There's also a drop box for books and audio materials at the Willis Bradford YMCA Patrons can still reserve items online and pick them up at the back door of the Autauga-Prattville Main branch When you are notified that your items are ready you can ring the back door bell and staff will bring those items out to you Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Marty Roney at mroney@gannett.com Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInPRATTVILLE, Ala. (WSFA) - Prattville police say a missing teen has been found safe 30 but never showed up at Prattville High School Authorities confirmed Wednesday morning that she is safe and in the custody of the Prattville Police Department No other details about her disappearance have been released Sign up for the WSFA Newsletter and get the latest local news and breaking alerts in your email A joint venture between private equity firm Sage Lane Partners led by Managing Partners Bhavnesh and Bhavin Vivek recently acquired the 101-room Hampton Inn & Suites Prattville in Alabama Vishnu Rageev R is a journalist with more than 15 years of experience in business journalism As a senior journalist with Asian Hospitality A JOINT VENTURE between Sage Lane Partners and ARK Holdings recently acquired the 101-room Hampton Inn & Suites Prattville in Prattville is led by Managing Partners Bhavnesh and Bhavin Vivek a hotel development and management company is led by CEO Azim Saju and will operate the hotel This acquisition continues Sage Lane’s growth since its 2024 formation reaching more than $350 million in assets under management “The Hampton Inn & Suites Prattville marks our first acquisition though it is by no means our first hotel investment,” said Bhavnesh Vivek “With more than 40 years of combined hospitality experience our executives have closed over 40 transactions and provided investment and asset management services for more than $3 billion in hotel real estate Our acquisition and development pipelines remain full and we look forward to adding up to three acquisitions and breaking ground on two developments this year.” The hotel is near Wilderness Park/Bamboo Forest Montgomery Zoo & Mann Wildlife Learning Museum and The Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum business center and 576 square feet of event space Bhavin Vivek said Sage Lane seeks to uncover unrealized value by targeting off-market and overlooked real estate opportunities “We partner with high-net-worth and institutional investors to apply our asset management expertise to value-add and opportunistic investments,” he said “Sage Lane Partners offers flexible capital solutions that enable diversification into unconventional markets and commercial ventures The Hampton Inn & Suites embodies this strategy and we look forward to expanding our portfolio nationwide as we pursue our growth goals.” “We look forward to collaborating with the Sage Lane Partners team to apply our experience to the Hampton Inn & Suites as we implement strategies to drive cash flow and deliver an elevated guest experience,” said Saju Ed Denning, president of ARK Development said Prattville is a growing market ideal for a select-service hotel offering the amenities most requested by business and leisure travelers we’re excited to be part of the community and have a positive local impact,” he said Peachtree Group recently launched the 114-key Residence Inn Ocean Township along the Jersey Shore its eighth DST offering since the program’s launch in 2022 Hilton Garden Inn Colorado Springs North and Homewood Suites Colorado Springs North are now open in Colorado Springs recently completed year-long renovations of the dual-branded property with Ohio-based Striv Design Regal Hospitality, a subsidiary of Whitestone Cos., will manage operations, according to a company statement “We are thrilled to reintroduce these hotels to the community and our loyal guests,” said Batra along with Striv Design and Regal Hospitality have created spaces that elevate the travel experience We invite both business and leisure travelers to experience it for themselves.” The Hilton Garden Inn and Homewood Suites are adjacent to each other and near the U.S The properties offer indoor and outdoor pools and three fitness areas for business travelers Batra said the properties were valuable assets that needed investment to position them as key properties in the area we were at a loss for words at the mountain views from the guestrooms,” said Chuck Groger “We knew then all the properties needed was a renovation and a management team who cared we are thrilled to celebrate it with the entire Colorado Springs community.” Whitestone recently acquired the 144-room Homewood Suites by Hilton Minneapolis-Mall of America its first investment in Minnesota and fourth Homewood Suites purchase in 18 months Hyatt Studios Mobile/Tillmans Corner is now open in Mobile was developed and franchised by 3H Group and is managed by LBA Hospitality Chattanooga, Tennessee-based 3H Group is led by President and CEO Hiren Desai, while Dothan, Alabama-based LBA Hospitality is headed by President Beau Benton “As the first developer to break ground on a Hyatt Studios hotel and now the first to open one, we’ve seen firsthand how this brand fills a critical gap in the extended-stay space,” said Desai efficient design and a flexible operating model that resonates with both guests and owners Its focus on quality extended-stay experiences paired with Hyatt’s strong support and reputation and we’re excited to continue growing with additional Hyatt Studios projects in the future.” located in Tillmans Corner less than 10 miles from Mobile International Airport provides access to downtown Mobile and the Gulf Coast It also is near the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park Bellingrath Gardens and the Mobile Carnival Museum The new hotel offers 122 studio suites with a fitness studio and an outdoor patio The Hyatt Studios brand also provides EV charging stations at all locations said the new hotel’s opening marks a milestone in expanding extended-stay accommodations “This is just the beginning for the Hyatt Studios brand which has generated enthusiasm among hotel owners and developers,” he said “We’re proud to celebrate the grand opening with 3H Group and LBA Hospitality whose dedication has brought the Hyatt Studios vision to life.” Hyatt plans to have 40 Hyatt Studios operational by 2027, the statement said. In February a select-service brand for transient guests and conversions expanding its upper-midscale segment in the Americas ahead of global rollout 3H Group is advancing Hyatt Studios projects in Huntsville The company is developing a Caption by Hyatt hotel in Chattanooga set to open in 2026 It recently acquired Hyatt Place Tampa Airport/Westshore and is building dual-brand Hyatt Place and Hyatt House hotels in East Nashville In November 3H Group and LBA Hospitality opened their first dual-branded IHG hotels in Chattanooga—Candlewood Suites Chattanooga East and Holiday Inn Express Chattanooga East—adding 154 rooms to the market TownePlace Suites Forney is now open in Forney The pet-friendly hotel, located 22 miles east of Dallas, features a 24-hour fitness center and an outdoor pool, the companies said in a joint statement It is near the Spellman Museum of Forney History and Mesquite Metro Airport HQZ “As we continue to expand our third-party management platform we remain focused on partnering with top-tier companies that share our commitment to operational excellence,” said Vickie Callahan Peachtree’s president of hospitality management developing hotels that are both professionally executed and uniquely designed to stand apart in their competitive set connecting each property to its local community.” Peachtree partnered with TEKMAK to manage a selection of its Texas hotels and now oversees six properties: Fairfield Inn & Suites Paris expressed excitement about joining the Forney community and serving the nation’s fastest-growing county with the new TownePlace Suites “We’re grateful for the Peachtree team’s hard work in getting the hotel open and are thrilled about the strong leadership they’ve assembled to manage daily operations,” he said “We take great pride in the quality of the hotels we develop and have full confidence in Peachtree’s ability to deliver an equally high level of service to our guests.” Atlanta-based Peachtree is led by CEO and Managing Principal Greg Friedman, Managing Principal and Chief Financial Officer Jatin Desai, and Principal Mitul Patel, while Dallas-based TEKMAK is led by Chief Executive Officer and President Thomas Kirkland “Third-party hotel operators are increasingly recognized for delivering superior service often outperforming chain-managed hotels in key areas that matter most to guests,” Callahan said “The opening of TownePlace Suites Forney reflects the strength of our collaboration and our shared vision to exceed expectations and raise standards across every hotel we manage.” JALARAM SLEEPY HOLLOW acquired the 91-key Fairfield Inn & Suites Memphis Southaven in Southaven Hunter Hotel Advisors’ Senior Vice President Tim Osborne and Vice President Chase Perry brokered the deal The hotel, renovated in 2023, is near several demand drivers in Southaven, 15 miles south of downtown Memphis, Hunter said in a statement They include major employers such as Amazon XAI recently opened a nearby supercomputer site with expansion plans “Southaven is our home and a strategic market for our company’s growth,” said Rohan Patel of Jalaram Hotel Group “It was a pleasure to work with Hunter and Helix on the acquisition.” HBS Investment Group recently acquired the 122-key Hilton Garden Inn Louisville East in Louisville SHRIV SHAKTI HOSPITALITY recently acquired the three-storey 111-key Comfort Inn East Evansville in Evansville from Priyansu Hotels for under $50,000 per room and a member of Hotel Brokers International The new owner will maintain the Choice Hotels affiliation and plans improvements for the property Niehaus & Associates said in a statement is the economic hub of a 24-county region and a trade center for parts of Indiana Vrindavan LLC recently acquired the 48-room SureStay by Best Western Bardstown General Nelson in Bardstown, Kentucky, from Dhamdhani LLC, in a deal brokered by Huff, Niehaus & Associates Note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly reported the margin of passage (This story has been updated to correct an inaccuracy.) PRATTVILLE − The next administration in Prattville will be making more money The Prattville City Council has approved pay raises for the mayor and city council State law bars current mayors and councils from giving themselves raises or salary cuts so any increases have to be for the incoming administrations The mayor's current salary of $90,000 per year which is in addition to a $1,000 a month vehicle allowance In 2025 the pay will go the $110,000 annually for the first two years of the term and $120,000 annually for the next two years The $1,000 vehicle allowance remains in place More: Bojangles cooks up new wave of Alabama expansion as Prattville location opens The current city council salaries were set in 2004 at $17,500 for council members and $20,000 for the council president The pay will go to $30,000 for council members and $35,000 for council president The president is elected from the seven-member council and presides at meetings and serves as the next in line of succession if the mayor cannot complete their term The vote was 5-2 in favor of the pay raises with members Marcus Jackson and Robert Strichik voting no The mayor and council members can choose to participate in the city's health insurance coverage Elected officials are considered city employees but do not receive cost of living adjustment or merit raises that non-elected city employees are eligible for Alabama law requires that any pay raises for elected municipal officials cannot occur within 6 months of a municipal election The Prattville Municipal Election is set for Aug according to the Alabama Secretary of State's office PRATTVILLE − The main branch of the Autauga-Prattville Public Library will end all service to patrons on Friday afternoon while the downtown Prattville building is being repaired An announcement will be made when services resume More: Heavy rains expected in Alabama midweek, with potential for flash flooding, severe weather There are plans in place to repair the building Walls will be braced to address the problem A portion of the building will remain closed to the public after the repairs The estimate was between $4 million and 6 million Prattville Police Officers were flagged down about a sexual assault that had just occurred at a park in the City of Prattville Patrol officers converged on the area and immediately apprehended a suspect with the aid of the modernized security and surveillance equipment in the park The two sat having conversation for some time When the victim tried to walk back to her vehicle Harris allegedly forced her into a bathroom at the park where he reportedly sexually assaulted her Harris was arrested and charged with Rape 1st and Sodomy 1st Harris is being held with no bond pending an Aniah’s Law hearing This is an ongoing investigation and the release of information will be limited out of respect for the victim and the integrity of the investigation ***An arrest/arrest warrant is an accusation of criminal acts based on probable cause not a determination of guilt.  All persons are considered to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law Prattville police need your help finding an attempted robbery suspect police say a man approached a Logan’s Roadhouse employee who was closing the restaurant at the time possibly in his mid 40s wearing all black with a hoodie displayed a gun and demanded to see the safe The employee was able to fight off the offender and secure the door If you have a tip to help police catch the suspect call Central Alabama CrimeStoppers at (334) 215-STOP A Prattville man is in custody accused of sexual assault officers were flagged down about a sexual assault that had just occurred at a park Officers went to the area and immediately arrested 44-year-old Roderick Harris The investigation revealed that Harris and the victim arrived at the park together the victim tried to walk back to her vehicle to leave That’s when police say Harris forced her into the bathroom and sexually assaulted her Harris is charged with 1st degree Rape and 1st degree Sodomy Harris is currently in the Autauga County Jail on no bond pending an Aniah’s Law hearing