By Sarah Stephens
Elmore Autauga News
Top Photo: From left are Civitan President Penny Nichols, Millbrook Mayor Al Kelley and Meteorologist Shane Butler, who proudly accepted the gift of a 17 Springs pin. “Not everyone gets one of those, Shane,” said Mayor Kelley smiling.
WAKA Action 8 Meteorologist Shane Butler was a special guest at a recent Millbrook Civitan Club meeting and was excited to talk about a new weather camera in Millbrook, and advances being made to improve radar locations across the state.
Butler is an Alabama native, who was born in Montgomery but grew up in Eclectic in Elmore County. He graduated from Elmore County High School and later Troy University.
He received his broadcast meteorologist certification from Mississippi State University.
Butler has been a chief meteorologist at WAKA since 2015. He is also an FAA licensed private pilot and remote drone pilot.
Butler spoke on many topics to the Civitans, and of particular interest is the weather camera that now sits atop a water tower at the Grandview YMCA. He contacted Millbrook Mayor Al Kelley about creating the location and the wheels of progress began turning.
“I want to say thank you to Shane, for giving me that call that day,” Mayor Kelley said. “It took a while. We had some hiccups, but we got there. Every time I watch the news, it makes me proud to see that Millbrook emblem.”
The camera was installed as part of the station’s Johnny Adams Law Firm Weather Camera Network.
The camera can capture live video of incoming storms in every direction, according to information from WAKA. When the weather is good, viewers can see all kinds of outdoor activities.
The camera will allow views of the 17 Springs recreational, retail and entertainment complex to Highway 14 and I-65. It is mounted high enough to see the Montgomery downtown skyline to the south and the Wind Creek casino in Wetumpka to the east.
The Millbrook location is now a part of the network that includes live cameras in Montgomery, Selma, Troy, Greenville, Lake Martin/Kowaliga, Demopolis and Opp.
For an example of the camera’s capability, see https://www.waka.com/2024/06/29/waka-action-8-unveils-new-live-weather-camera-in-millbrook/
