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August 11, 2015
Vol. 123, No. 159
www.alexcityoutlook.com
Calera man dies after heart event on the lake Boaters, paramedics unable to revive Harrell By Mitch Sneed
WELCOME BACK!
Outlook Editor
A 61-year-old Calera man died Sunday afternoon after becoming distressed while swimming in a cove on Lake Martin. Tallapoosa County Deputy Coroner Ken Cowart said that James Michael Harrell was pronounced dead at 3:35 p.m. after being rushed to Lake Martin Community Hospital. Harrell was with his wife and two friends in a remote cove in an area south of Young’s Island, between DARE Park and Smith Mountain. Witnesses said he had been swimming when he began to struggle in the water. The friends managed to get him close to shore and tried to revive him. Boaters came to his aid and tried to resuscitate the man using CPR. Sydney Sneed, one of the See TRAGEDY, Page 5
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
Monday was the first day of classes in Alexander City Schools and Superintendent Dr. DarM rell re Cooper, above, was at Jim Pearson to welcome students and parents back. “We had an a awesome first day,” Cooper said. “Lots of smiling students who had a fantastic first day. I’d like to thank all the teachers, staff and administrators for working so hard to make sure it went so well.” Below Jakaya Sims was all smiles and loaded with supplies as she made her h way to class at Jim Pearson. Right Starey Young made sure to be on hand to walk with Sanquarious S Young to class on his first day.
READY TO LEAD Reeltown All-Stater ready to take control at QB, page 10
Commission talks DHR site, honors Harris Inspection fees, industrial park property transfer also approved By Mitch Sneed Outlook Editor
A long-time public servant was honored and an update was given on a possible site for a new Department of Human Resources building at Monday’s meeting of the Tallapoosa County Commissioners. The commissioners approved a proclamation honoring longtime Tallapoosa County Revenue Commissioner Linda Harris. She Mitch Sneed / The Outlook will complete her Revenue Commissioner Linda term at the end of Harris thanked her staff and September and the commissioners after being commissioners as well as members recognized.
of her staff praised her for her dedication to the county. Probate Court Judge Leon Archer praised See COMMISSION, Page 5
Local stores report spike in sales on tax holiday By Carmen Rogers For the Outlook
Businesses all around the Alexander City area say they experienced an increase in sales over this past weekend. With children getting ready to go back to school, many parents chose to buy the needed supplies while sales taxes were reduced. The reduced taxes, plus the sales and discounts offered by many local retailers, added up to savings for shoppers and big sales for the store. Goody’s Manager Autumn
Dexter said that the store was busier than normal, but said one department was hit especially hard. “The children’s department tops the list with the most sales.” Dexter said. “According to our sales records, sales were up from previous years.” Dexter believes this increase is due to a rising economy in the area. Local shoppers didn’t get a total tax break like other areas. The county opted to keep its 1-cent sales tax in place. Some store managers like Candice Stoffregen
of Shoe Dept. said that tax that remained may have been a bit of a deterrent. “We were busy all weekend,” Stoffregen said. “Sometimes we were not able to leave the register. We brought in associates from other locations just for the sales tax weekend. “We had several people buy merchandise and ask why we were charging tax and we had to explain that while the state and city tax was excluded the county tax remained in place.” Many small business owners See SALES, Page 9
Carmen Rogers / The Outlook
Stephanie Smith of Little Black Dress checks sales receipts at her store following the sales tax holiday shopping weekend.
Local team wins AWF Wild Game Cook-Off By David Granger Outlook Staff Writer
Alexander City’s Chad Jones has been a competitive cooker for nine years. Saturday night in Millbrook, he became a state champion. Jones’ cook team – Smokin’ and Jokin’ BBQ – bested 12 other entrants at the Alabama Wildlife Federation’s Wild Game Cook-Off state finals at Millbrook’s Lanark Pavilion with its Sinful Quail. “It’s an apple stuffed with quail, pork sausage
Members of Team Smokin’ and Jokin’ celebrate after being named state champions in the Alabama Wildlife Federation’s Wild Game Cook-off Saturday. Pictured are adults, left to right, Khara Jones, Chad Jones, Blake Self, Rachel Self Kids, left to right, are Caleb Jones and Eli Self.
and apple, smoked and dressed with a sweet, gravy-like sauce,” Jones said. Second place went to Chonita’s Cookers (Mark and Severa McGrady, Angel and Joey Davis and Jasmine and Braden Welcher), also of Alexander City, and third to Peppertree Pit Crew (Jeff, Tyler and Hayden Verner and John Mosley) of Montgomery. Chonita’s Cookers’ dish was Tex-Mex Cerviche and Peppertree See CHAMPS Page 9
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
488.84 Reported on 8/10/15 @ 5 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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