THURSDAY OCTOBER 27 2016
LEDGER-ENQUIRER.COM
FROM PAGE 1A
RIBBON
I knew I really didnt have
anybody out here that was
gonna show me what was
going on, what to do, and
what not to do.
While at the transitional
center, Thomas began to
slowly venture out into the
community, trying to put
his life together piece by
piece. His first priority was
to find a decent paying job
outside the realm of illegal
activity.
Trenton Chester, the
owner of Chesters Barbe-
cue, grew up with Thomas
in the Northstar drive
neighborhood. When he
learned that Thomas had
been released from prison,
he sent word to the Colum-
bus Transitional Center
that he wanted to hire him.
I guess knowing him
and knowing his family, I
knew the mistakes that he
made, and I just didnt
hold that against him,
Chester said. ... I knew he
wouldnt do it again.
Today, Thomas is a
manager at the restaurant,
and Chester considers him
a great employee.
He works up front and
people gravitate to him,
Chester said. He has
great customer service
skills, and its just what we
needed. Im glad to have
him come on board.
Before leaving the tran-
sitional center, Thomas
saved up $2,100. He used
some of the money to pay
down on an apartment and
purchase furniture. His
girlfriend at the time
showed him how to pay
bills and shop for what he
needed. It was all new to
him, even driving.
I had never had a car
on my own, he said. I
didnt have a license or
anything, but I would prac-
tice and I just taught my-
self how to drive.
STAYING FOCUSED
Early in the morning,
Thomas wind-sprints up a
hill near the intersection of
North Oakley and Hawaii
Way in Columbus. He
wears a weighted vest,
military boots and wrist
weights. Thats how he
keeps his body in shape for
boxing, which has become
one of his favorite activ-
ities.
In boxing, you have to
be prepared for everything,
because you might get in a
ring with a guy, and he
might just attack you, he
said. You may find your-
self in the fight of your life
FROM PAGE 1A
SUSPECT
tiate with the armed sus-
pect, who was barricaded
in the upstairs bedroom
and refusing to surrender.
Richards Middle School
and adjacent Clubview
Elementary School were
placed on secure
perimeter, said Muscogee
County School District
communications director
Valerie Fuller. That meant
nobody was allowed out-
side the buildings, but the
schools operated as nor-
mal. She said both schools
dismissed at its regular
times.
After more than four
hours, police set off four
flash-bang devices at the
home to distract the sus-
pect in one area while
FROM PAGE 3A
SENATE
thats no longer the case.
Now you have a very
small percentage, he
said. Therefore veterans
issues do not get a front
seat.
Payne pointed to a need
for services for all veter-
ans. There is a new Martin
Army Community Hospi-
tal at Fort Benning, but its
News 5A
. ..................................................................................................................
lot of his friends had ma- MUSCOGEE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
turing, because in prison
Red Ribbon Week
This year, the Ledger-Enquirer focuses on the story of
Columbus native Eugene Thomas.
your growth is stunted as
far as socialization. Hes
just doing what he wished
District confirms
A Sunday: How Eugene Thomas went from curious child to drug
dealer.
he had done at 21 or 22 at
the age of 42, 43.
Alexander is also a per-
principal changes,
A Monday:
A Tuesday:
A closer look at mandatory drug sentencing laws.
A closer look at gangs and gang activity.
cussionist who produced a
YouTube video discourag-
ing sagging pants among
job openings
A Wednesday: What Eugene Thomas learned in prison. young men in the commu-
nity. He said he and Tho- rary principal of Lonnie
A Today: How Eugene Thomas is coping as an ex-con. mas have discussed such BY MARK RICE Jackson Academy. She
issues from the perspective mrice@ledger-enquirer.com was filling in for Amia
A Friday: A look at what has changed and what remains the
same. of two different gener- Burnette, who was hired
................................................................................................................... ations. Three schools in the in May but delayed her
He and I, we both have Muscogee County School arrival to take care of a
for those first three min- out of nothing else. an avid interest in improv- District have changed family medical situation,
utes. So sprinting up that ing the life skills and the principals since the school superintendent David
hill, it prepares me for that. BECOMING A FATHER lives of African-American year started, and MCSD is Lewis said in August.
... You have to come up Still, as Thomas tries to men, he said. I just feel seeking to hire three prin- Burnette, who was prin-
with things that you can adapt to life outside of optimistic about him. ... cipals. cipal of Mary M. Bethune
use as assets in preparing prison, he faces many Some people may feel MCSD communications Elementary School in
your mind and body for the challenges. He recently differently, but when director Valerie Fuller Atlanta, succeeded Sadi-
task at hand. had to stay at a homeless youve gone to prison for confirmed the changes in yah Abdullah, who in April
Jason Gilbert Jones, a shelter until he could save as long as he went to pri- an email Wednesday to was promoted to director
37-year-old paraplegic, is up enough money to get son, and you come out and the Ledger-Enquirer. of the districts prekin-
the owner of Game Bred back into an apartment. He you seem adjusted, I feel For personal reasons, dergarten Early Success
Boxing Club, where Tho- also has experienced some like you have an optimistic Fuller said, Joanna Cul- Centers. Abdullah re-
mas spars with younger drama in his relationships future. breth requested and was placed Dana Thompson,
boxers. Jones said he start- with women. granted a transfer from who resigned to move out
ed the gym after spending Hes now the father of a IMPARTING principal of Eagle Ridge of state.
six years in prison for a 7-month-old daughter, and KNOWLEDGE Academy to a teacher/ MCSD also is seeking to
cocaine trafficking charge he and the babys mother Ryza Alkebulam, 26, is coach position in the Title hire a new principal at
in Lee County, Fla. He continue to fight over co-founder of a local or- IIA program, which helps Davis Elementary School,
moved to Columbus to be visitation, financial support ganization called The districts improve the qual- where Carla Henry is
with a brother who served and other issues. Peoples Party for Inde- ity of their educators. Amy scheduled to retire Jan. 1,
in the Army. The babys mother re- pendence. He met Thomas Parker, who had been Fuller said.
Jones said Thomas fused to speak on the re- when he began seeking assistant principal at Eagle The other open principal
showed up after learning cord to the Ledger-Enquir- information about history, Ridge, was transferred job in MCSD is at the
about the gym at the er or be identified. She the criminal justice system, from principal of Reese yet-to-be-named arts
mosque where he wor- described Thomas as a class issues, and the politi- Road Leadership Acade- academy for grades 6-12.
ships, and they became good person who just has a cal and educational sys- my to principal of Eagle The academy is being
good friends. lot of growing up to do tems. At the time, Alkeb- Ridge, Fuller said. constructed behind the
Him being a convict when it comes to man- ulam and some friends We have advertised for Columbus Public Library
and me being a convict, we aging his life and handling were trying to launch the the Reese Road vacancy, off Macon Road and
had a lot to talk about and relationships. organization, and Thomas Fuller said, and hope to scheduled to open in Au-
hit it off immediately, Thomas admits to some was instrumental in help- have a candidate before gust.
Jones said. Hes got a mistakes and says he hopes ing them get started. the board in December. We plan to fill this
great spirit, and usually has to become the father his Alkebulam said the In the interim, Jeanella position by January, Full-
great energy with him. daughter deserves. group is currently trying to Pendleton, who retired as er said, so the principal
Hes 43 and spent a lot of I love my daughter with organize black neighbor- Reese Road principal, is can lead the hiring of the
time locked up. But if you all my heart, mind, body hoods to address socioec- leading the school for the unique staff in preparation
know how to do time, it and soul, he said. I just onomic issues such as rest of the semester, Fuller for the school opening.
can preserve you. Hes wish at this particular time violence in the community. said.
very young at heart. ... He I could communicate it to I think a lot of us over- Pendleton began the Mark Rice: 706-576-6272,
gives me 100 percent, so I her, and that she could complicate these situa- school year as the tempo- @markricele
give it right back to him. understand. tions, he said. And our
Jones said boxing is a organization, the People
great sport for young men RECONNECTING WITH Party for Independence,
who need something con- FAMILY we try to simplify it by transported by helicopter
structive to do. Since leaving prison, simply using the members
Woman dies in to Atlanta Medical Center.
I wouldnt be a fraction Thomas has tried to re- of the community to fix single-vehicle Physicians were unable
of the man I am if it wasnt kindle family relationships. our own problems. He to revive Wyrosdick, and
for this sport, he said. It His mothers brother, said Thomas helps to keep crash she died in surgery.
teaches you how to think Isham Ike Alexander Jr., the group inspired and Tiffany Kate Wyrosdick, A witness to the acci-
under pressure the rule is a retired special educa- moving forward. 24, of Valley, Ala., died dent said he saw Wyros-
of confidence. Confidence tion teacher who worked in Thomas says hes trying after a single-vehicle dicks vehicle traveling
will take you so far, until the Muscogee County to make up for the time he crash. south when it veered
skills are required. It shows School District for 35 lost while squandering his According to a report across the northbound
you what you can do, and years. youth and then being from Maj. Mike Reynolds lanes, left the roadway
what can be done to you. It Alexander said Thomas locked up for more than of the Valley Police De- and struck a concrete
shows you your limits, and has accompanied him and two decades. partment, officers re- barrier.
you push beyond those his wife to football games I did the best that I sponded to the report of a An investigation into
limits. You find out a lot and continues to work on could in prison, and I think crash at 10:30 a.m. Tues- what caused the wreck is
about yourself. rebuilding his life. Im doing the best that I day. being conducted by the
Its a great channel to Once we reunited, I could now, he said. Im The wreck occurred on Valley Police Department
express that aggressive saw a young man who was still not the man that I Highway 29 in front of and the Alabama Depart-
energy in a positive way, mature I would consider want to be, but Im grow- Valley High School. ment of Forensic Sciences,
he said. And its just a mild-mannered, intelli- ing. Officers found Wyros- which is conducting an
positive feeling that when gent, very understanding, dick in the vehicle, and autopsy.
youre done. ... You aint Alexander said. He had to Alva James-Johnson: she was transported by
gonna get it out of no play catch-up because he 706-571-8521, Valley EMS to a landing Larry Gierer:
drugs, out of no money, didnt have the time that a @amjreporter zone from which she was 706-571-8581, @lagierer
police entered the home in possession of a firearm victim or officer who came suspect apparently used Judge Michael Cielinski
another location. They also during the commission of up that stairwell, Hart the shower while he was in ordered him in the Musco-
used a PA system to try to
communicate with the
suspect, said Columbus
a crime, theft by taking
motor vehicle, obstruction
and criminal damage to
said, who later clarified
that the firearms belonged
to the homeowner.
the bathroom, causing the
water to overflow, Hart
said. It reached the floor
gee County Jail under
bonds totaling $469,000.
The case was bound over
Police Chief Ricky Boren. property. After further investiga- and caused water dam- to Superior Court.
Over the next hour, Hart said Crisp told tion, police determined age.
officers went from room to police that a man named that the suspect caused Represented by Colum- Staff writer Ben Wright
room and floor to floor Bobby was in the house even more damage when bus public defender Char- contributed to this report.
within that house search- with him during the stan- he used the victims show- les Lykins, Crisp didnt
ing for the suspect. doff, but authorities be- er. give a testimony about the Sarah Robinson:
We made sure that we lieve he was the only sus- We also discovered the Hilton Avenue incident. 706-571-8622, @sarahR_92
had totally cleared it as we pect involved. Surveillance
worked our way into the video shows Crisp arriving
house, Boren said on the to the Hilton Avenue resi- Enrichment Services Program, Inc. will be accepting
scene around 4:48 p.m. dence on the stolen scoot- appointment calls for Heating Assistance for residents aged 65
Friday. We worked our er, but doesnt show any or older and those who are homebound in Muscogee County on
way to the room we be- other individuals, accord- November 3, 2016 at 7:00 a.m.
lieved him to be in and ing to police.
In order for the household to be deemed homebound,
applied gas. Once the gas The detective said mul-
All household members must have disabilities confining them to the home. The household
was applied, he came out tiple bullet holes were members must be unable to travel to apply for Energy Assistance because of a medical
soon. That was in the top found in the home as well condition which qualifies the persons for home services.
rear of the house. as a large hole in the dry-
Crisp was taken into wall of the upstairs bath- In order for the household to be deemed as a senior household,
police custody in the up- room. Every person that lives in the home has to be 65 years old or older with one exception. The
stairs bathroom and Inside that bathroom, exception is that children under the age of 18 years old can live in the home and the home can
charged with one count there were two shotguns still be considered a senior household.
each of aggravated assault right in front of that hole,
against a peace officer, where he could assault any Appointments:
Appointments will be taken by telephone only until the allotted appointments have been made
for November 2016. There will be no appointments made the week of the Thanksgiving Holiday
(November 21, 2016- November 25, 2016). All applicants will be seen at Occasions Event Center
not accessible to all veter- national cemetery admin- 1807 Victory Drive Columbus, Ga. 31901 and must bring the following:
ans. They have an active istration. About 70 veter- For all household members that are 18 years old or older: Proof of income for all household
duty component there to
use it first, said Payne of
Montgomery, Ala..
ans sought help during the
town hall, he said.
Venues like this are the
members for the past 30 days
Proof of Social Security Numbers for each person in the household
Last/current months heating bill for the household
Before the roundtable, perfect opportunity to For all household members that are 18 years old or older: Current proof of citizenship or legal
Brett Robbins, a public hear the voices of veter- immigrant status (state issued picture identification (ID) such as: drivers license, ID card, voter
affairs officer with the ans, Robbins said. registration card, passport, military ID, etc.)
Central Alabama Veterans Robbins said a 55,000- If receiving SSI, Social Security, Pension, VA Benefits, or Workers Compensation the
Health Care System, held square-foot clinic is in the 2016 award letter is required.
a town hall meeting in the works for Columbus by If applying for assistance with gas or propane, the current electricity bill is also needed.
auditorium to update the fall of 2020. We are All applicants must meet the federal income poverty guidelines.
Columbus, Phenix City hoping it cold happen The appointment line will close periodically based on the availability of funds.
and Fort Benning veterans before, he said.
on health care, benefits To make an appointment, please call this toll free number 706-940-4033.
and information on the