SEE UPCOMING AREA EVENTS ON PAGE 6 INSIDE
THURSDAY
THE
SPORTS, PAGE 10
DADEVILLE, PAGE 9
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892 April 25, 2019 Vol. 127, No. 81 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
BRHS to focus on own strengths in 1st round
City council hires business license recovery group
3 arrests made in Alex City break-ins By JIMMY WIGFIELD Managing Editor
Hours after police chief Jay Turner vowed to stop a recent spasm of vehicle break-ins, Alexander City officers made three arrests Tuesday night in connection with the crimes.
According to investigator Cpl. Sabrina Osborne, Vantavious Westbrook, 19, and Caleb Rodriguez, 19, both of Alexander City, were each charged with first-degree theft of property related to a vehicle stolen last week in the North Central Avenue area and six counts of breaking and entering — four from the
Parrish Hills area Monday night and Tuesday morning and two from the Avenue Street, Parker Avenue and Circle Drive areas. A bag of stolen goods was also found in their possession, Osborne said. Neither has a criminal history in Alabama as adults, according to court
records, but Osborne said authorities have video surveillance of the pair breaking into cars in Parrish Hills. A 17-year-old minor from Alexander City was charged with possession of a stolen firearm, Osborne said. “It was a firearm stolen in a breaking See BREAK-INS • Page 3
Quick arrest made in local robbery By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Just three minutes is all it took for the Dadeville Police Department to apprehend a suspect in an armed robbery, Tuseday afternoon. “We got a call of an armed robbery in progress at 1:42 p.m.,” Dadeville assistant police chief Chris Martin said. “We had a suspect in custody three minutes later.” Martin said it took the efforts of several officers to make it happen. “(Officer Ronnie Brown) was first on the scene and was able to get a good description of the suspect and direction of travel,” Martin said. “I was there quickly as well and saw someone walking away down Herren Street. He was trying to walk as not to bring attention to himself but he matched the description. He tried to flee when he saw the lights but didn’t get far.” Martin said the suspect, Lameico Darrien Black, 19, of Alexander City had dropped a handgun and a replica gun nearby that officers recovered. Martin said officer Colton Ankers also responded quickly to help provide backup during the apprehension of Black. Martin said Black used one of the weapons police recovered in the robbery that stemmed from a negotiated online sale of items. “Once we got to the bottom of it, Black and the victim met in a parking lot for the transaction,” Martin said. “Black tried to leave after getting the money from the victim. The victim tried to stop him when
Fire scare causes evacuation at First Baptist Church By JIMMY WIGFIELD Managing Editor
Firefighters determined burning blower motors triggered smoke alarms that forced the evacuation of about 120 students at First Baptist Church in downtown Alexander City Wednesday morning. Station No. 1 of the Alexander City Fire Department, which is across the street from the church, responded with 14 firefighters within a few minutes after alarms were reported shortly after 8 a.m., according to ACFD Capt. Chris Queen, who said two blower motors burned up in the basement of See FIRE • Page 5
Today’s
Weather
77 60 High
6
Low
54708 90050
8
USPS Permit # 013-080
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
490.38 Reported on 04/24/19 @ 4 p.m.
LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443
laceyshowell@gmail.com
Jimmy Wigfield / The Outlook
Veritas students, above, are led back inside the First Baptist Church in Alexander City Wednesday morning after firefighters checked out the source of smoke and fire alarms, top.
See ROBBERY • Page 3
City’s annual spring cleanup set for Saturday By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
The City of Alexander City is hosting its annual spring cleanup Saturday and organizers are asking for volunteers. “We encourage everyone, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Camp Fire Girls and businesses to take part in the annual cleanup,” Alexander City Police Department Capt. James Orr said. “This is our annual cleanup we do every year along with Alabama PALS Cleanup.” PALS is People Against a Littered State. It is an organization Orr said the ACPD has worked with the last several years to help promote the annual cleanup but the cleanup got its start before that. “I’ve been involved with a cleanup day for several different groups over the years,” Orr said. “I believe I started with them in 1998.” Orr said volunteers are asked to be at city hall at 8 a.m. Saturday to get assignments where
5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL
See CLEANUP • Page 3
File / The Outlook
Volunteers are asked to be at city hall at 8 a.m. Saturday to get assignments.
WANTED: EXPERIENCED
PART-TIME KENNEL TECHNICIAN
one church two services i
8:00 AM & 10: 10:30 AM
9:15AM SUNDAY SCHOOL
178 S. Tallassee Street • fbcdade fbcdadeville.com
Must have knowledge of all aspects of kennel care. Computer experience a plus. No phone calls. Apply in person.
KOWALIGA WHOLE HEALTH ALTH Pet Care & Resort 8610 Kowaliga Road • Eclectic, AL
+
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Here + Pay Here + + CLEAN USED CARS No Credit Checks
Cars• Vans• Trucks • SUV’s
Midway Auto,Inc.
Off Hwy. 280 • Alexander City, AL (On Right Past the River Bridge)
256.825.9830