Editing Wetumpka, Alabama (section)

==="Cat Ladies"===
In 2022, two women were arrested and charged for feeding feral cats, which is not a crime in Wetumpka. City Judge Jeff Courtney sentenced Beverly Roberts, 85, and Mary Alston, 61, each to two years of unsupervised probation and 10 days in jail. The jail sentence was suspended. They were also ordered to each pay $100 in fines, plus court costs. After sentencing the women appealed to the Elmore County Circuit Court, at which point the city decided to no longer pursuing criminal charges.<ref name="AdvertiserCharges">"[https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/news/local/alabama/2023/04/12/alabama-town-no-longer-pursuing-charges-against-cat-ladies/70108983007/ Wetumpka no longer pursuing charges against 'cat ladies']" by Marty Roney, [[Montgomery Advertiser|The Montgomery Advertiser]], April 12, 2023.</ref>

The arrests generated worldwide media coverage and opposition<ref name="AdvertiserCharges"/> and resulted in Wetumpka being called a "national laughing stock. If not international."<ref>"[https://www.alreporter.com/2022/12/15/opinion-wetumpka-cat-ladies-were-convicted-but-the-city-will-pay-the-price/ Wetumpka cat ladies were convicted, but the city will pay the price]" by Josh Moon, Alabama Political Reporter, December 15, 2022.</ref> Roberts and Alston were later named "community heroes" by [[Montgomery Advertiser|The Montgomery Advertiser]] for helping feral cats in Wetumpka.<ref>"[https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/news/local/2023/07/12/cat-ladies-named-community-heroes-for-their-devotion-to-wetumpka-cat-colonies/70364426007/ 'Cat Ladies' named Community Heroes for their devotion to cat colonies]" by Marty Roney, [[Montgomery Advertiser|The Montgomery Advertiser]], July 12, 2023.</ref> They were also featured on an episode of [[A&E Networks]]' show "My Strange Arrest".<ref>"[https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/news/local/progress/2023/07/26/aes-my-strange-arrest-to-feature-segment-on-wetumpka-cat-ladies/70467538007/ A&E's 'My Strange Arrest' to feature segment on Wetumpka 'cat ladies']" by Marty Roney, [[Montgomery Advertiser|The Montgomery Advertiser]], July 26, 2023.</ref>

Roberts and Alston alleged that "small-town politics" were behind what happened, saying that Wetumpka Mayor Jerry Willis "ordered Roberts' arrest because she had a history of making complaints about animal welfare matters in the city."<ref>"[https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/news/crime/progress/2022/12/13/wetumpka-alabama-cat-ladies-found-guilty-on-all-four-charges/69722572007/ Wetumpka's 'cat ladies' found guilty on all four charges]" by Marty Roney, [[Montgomery Advertiser]], December 13, 2022.</ref><ref name="AdvertiserSmallTown">"[https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/news/crime/2022/12/21/wetumpka-cat-ladies-say-small-town-politics-behind-arrest/69741416007/ Alabama cat ladies say they're living nightmare over love of animals]" by Alex Gladden, [[Montgomery Advertiser]], December 21, 2022.</ref>