OPINION: LET’S ALL GET INVOLVED IN THROW AWAY DAY. PAGE 4
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MAKING PLANS? See today’s calendar for upcoming events. Page 11.
WALK-OFF VICTORY
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892 April 8, 2016 Vol. 124, No. 71 www.alexcityoutlook.com
Wildcats beat Valley in area win. Sports, page 12.
Couple found guilty of sex abuse
Assistant District Attorney Jeremy Duerr walks out of the courthouse with New Site Police Department’s Phillip Weddle and John McKelvey. Weddle and Duerr are brothers and this was the first case they have worked together.
By MITCH SNEED & CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writers
A jury took almost five hours, but found a man and woman guilty on all counts in a case where a 5-year-old girl was sexually abused. Antavis Dewayne Thornton Jr. of Valley and April Nichole Jones of Jacksons Gap were found guilty of aggravated child abuse, two counts of first-degree sodomy, first-degree rape Cliff Williams / The Outlook
and one count of sexual abuse of a child under the age of 12. The jury returned the verdict at about 6 p.m., ending what had been four long days of testimony and evidence. Judge Ray Martin thanked the jury for their service and set April 18 as the date for sentencing. The two could face heavy sentences on each count, including 20 years to life on the Class A felony counts of up to life
Local libraries give members an opportunity to win in ‘Because’ Campaign By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer
By MITCH SNEED Editor
SUPERBIRDS FLY
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Wellborn Muscle Car Museum to be featured on national television The Wellborn Muscle Car Museum will once again be on national television. Two of the museum’s cars, SuperBirds were filmed by a production crew drag racing in the former Russell Corp. Complex. The to be highlighted in the opening reel of a 16-show series on the History Channel about car restoration. The crew will also be around this morning filming.
See THROW AWAY • Page 3
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Reported on 4/07/16 @ 1 p.m.
Linda Shaffer, REALTOR® C: 256.794.4641 • W: 256.329.5253 shaffer@lakemartin.net 5295 Highway 280, Alexander City, AL
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Why do you love your library? Library patrons have different reasons, ranging from access to the internet to something as simple as the smell of the books in the stacks. Regardless of the reason, Adelia M. Russell Library and Mamie’s Place Children’s Library want to know it as they join libraries across the nation in celebrating National Library Week Sunday, April 10, through Saturday, April 16, according to Amy Huff, director of Alexander City’s Adelia M. Russell Library. Through the American Library Association’s Because Campaign, library card holders are encouraged to celebrate National Library Week by filling out an “I love my library because” bubble and the library will display them all week. Once you fill out a “Because” bubble you will be entered into the library’s Kindle giveaways. There will be one Kindle given away at Adelia M. Russell and one at Mamie’s Place. This year, libraries in schools, on campuses and in communities nationwide are celebrating dynamic changes that are happening in See LIBRARY • Page 3
Dadeville Elementary fourth grader wins space camp scholarship
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Win a Kindle during National Library Week
Momentum grows for first Throw Away Day The grassroots effort to keep all of Tallapoosa County clean is gaining steam as organizers and the public are making plans for the first-ever Throw Away Day on Saturday, April 23. Organizers like Lake Martin Resource Association President John Thompson says he has been impressed by all the creative ways that people all across the county have been finding ways to help with the effort. “I’m encouraged by the responses we’re getting from organizations and people who just want to help any way that they can,” Thompson said. “The more people you have, the bigger impact that can be made. We’re excited about the potential and where we are, but right now we are just trying to spread the word and hear from anyone who has an idea to help clean up even a small area.” A big part of the effort is the move by the Tallapoosa County Commissioners who are funding the placement of rolloff dumpsters in each county district on the weekend of April 23. Residents will be able to dispose of collected trash as well as larger items such as mattresses, sofas, tables and such for no charge. District 5 Commissioner George
in prison for the rape charge. Following the verdict Assistant District Attorney Jeremy Duerr was hugged by the woman who now has custody of the young victim. She repeatedly thanked him, along with investigators and attorneys who brought justice for the blonde-haired little girl. “This is why we do what we do,” Duerr said. “To know now that this
Dadeville Elementary School prinicipal Chad McKelvey, teachers Leslie Loftin and Ben Gross pose for a photograph with fourth grade student Ezekiel Hicks Wednesday. Hicks was selected to attend Space Camp on a scholarship.
Dadeville Elementary School fourth grader Ezekiel Hicks could be an astronaut some day after attending Space Camp on a full scholarship this summer, he will know first hand some of what astronauts do. “I hope to learn more about the solar system,” Hicks said. “I like the moon, Mars, Pluto, really all the planets.” Hicks learned of Space Camp while looking for things to do this summer. DES teacher Leslie Loftin learned that Hicks had an interest in going and approached his science teacher. “Mrs. Loftin brought it to my attention that he was wanting to apply to Space Camp,” Ben Gross said. “We were going through space in class, talking about the moon and planets. He was really interested in it. He had some of his best grades of the year.” Both Loftin and Gross helped Hicks
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with the process. “We both wrote letters of recommendation,” Loftin said. Hicks was not just accepted he awarded a full scholarship. According to a release from the U.S. Space and Rocket Center where Space Camp is held, Hicks is in rare company. Only 26 percent of those applying received full scholarships. “He wrote two essays, drew a mission patch and had to describe a science experiment,” Ezekiel’s mother Kambrie Hicks said. “He loves space. He has really gotten into the planets. His bedroom is all about space. Ezekiel might be a little unlike his classmates. He says his favorite subjects are Alabama History, math and science. “In science we get to learn about the solar system,” Ezekiel said. “In math, I like division and multiplication.” Ezekiel is looking forward to one See CAMP • Page 3