By Michael Butler

2024 marked a year of progress and big plans for the future. Several upgrades came to fruition over the past year.

Among the items checked off the list included the downtown cityscape and Benjamin Fitzpatrick Bridge.

The city was rewarded another federal grant for infrastructure improvements. Tallassee had already received funds for work on the west side of the city. With assistance for work to be done on the east side, over $15 million will be applied in all.

An Elmore County lodging tax donation will assist in future recreational projects at J.E. “Hot” O’Brien Stadium and the Tallassee Recreation Center.

Prescription turf will be put down on the practice and game fields at the football stadium. A new recreation center is scheduled to be constructed behind the current facility. A total of $10 million will be used from county collections.

The City of Tallassee brought a new business tax structure back to the table. After a forum with business members, the proposal passed incorporating a revenue-based model for some businesses.

2024 was an election year. Donald Trump won the presidency. Tallassee resident Brad Davis was elected to the Elmore County Commission.

A Friday night football game was halted in Eclectic due to a threat. The capacity crowd of Tallassee and Elmore County fans at Burt-Haynie Field were instructed to vacate the stadium in the third quarter. The game was not completed and ruled a no contest.

Local first responders made a daring rescue on Jordan Avenue of a man who had fallen into a well. The Tallassee Police Department with assistance from several agencies also made a couple of drug arrests confiscating a large amount of drugs and firearms.

The landmark Mount Vernon Theater under the new name the Mount Vernon Performing Arts Center reopened to audiences in December.