SUPER 12
OPINION: THERE MAY BE MORE TO LOTTERY THAN WE THINK , PAGE 4.
Graham has a new focus for 2016.
TUESDAY
THE CHAMBER PULSE
Chamber recaps Sun Festival, LMYP and more. Page 6-7.
Sports, Page 12.
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892 August 16, 2016
Vol. 124, No. 164
www.alexcityoutlook.com
MORE FINANCIAL ISSUES UNEARTHED $220K in IRS penalties, no budget, status of pay study, $1.5 million accounting issue, stalled audits discussed at meeting
Mayor Charles Shaw told the city council that he was unsure when he would have a budget ready for review.
By MITCH SNEED Editor
Alexander City City Council President Jim Spann used Monday night’s meeting to try to clear the air on several matters that have been lingering, but instead it was learned that the city is dealing with a whole new level of craziness.
Craziness was about the only way to describe this laundry list that was unearthed in pre-meeting discussion by Spann: • According to an auditor working on getting the city’s books caught up, the city’s books remain “$1.5 million out,” according to Spann. “I’m no accountant, and I See COUNCIL • Page 11
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
Bentley’s call includes lottery, Medicaid
USAmeriBank holds senior banking seminar today STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer
Each year, seniors lose approximately $2.9 billion to financial fraud. That is why USAmeriBank has joined a national effort, led by the American Bankers Association Foundation, to protect seniors from becoming victims of financial fraud and abuse. Today at 11:30 a.m. at its main Alexander City office, located at 4643 Highway 280, USAmeriBank’s Prestige Program will host a seminar for seniors and their financial caregivers offering tips for safe banking to help combat this problem. A light lunch will be served. Seniors are some of the most precious customers to America’s banks because: • Older Americans (50+) hold 67% of all bank deposits; • Older Americans (65+) most likely to be banked compared to all other age groups; and • Older Americans (55+) have the best credit scores compared to all younger age groups. For these and other reasons older Americans are also most likely to be targeted for fraud and financial exploitation, resulting in losses for older customers and banks alike. Some of the information the “Safe See SEMINAR • Page 3
Today’s
Weather
92 73 High
Low
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
488.98 Reported on 8/15/16 @ 6 p.m.
LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443
laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL
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Council President Jim Spann asked some tough questions and disclosed several additional issues in the city’s finances at Monday night’s council meeting.
54708 90050
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Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Doris Butcher has been been taking care of this Mastiff mix near her home in Dadeville since she appeared about two weeks. With three dogs already, Butcher is looking for a good home for the dog.
A FOREVER HOME Local woman, vet seek adoption for wayward pooch
By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Wanted – a good home. That is all that Dadeville resident Doris Butcher is looking for to help a new found friend – a mastiff-mix dog. “She came out of the woods in Laeman’s Landing about two weeks ago,” Butcher said. “She just came up one day. It barked out the neighbors.”
From there the shy but friendly giant took up with everyone. “My neighbor put some water out and she woofed it down,” Butcher said. “He also put some food down and she woofed it down too.” From there, Butcher took over. “She was taking up on my porch,” Butcher said. “I have three dogs already, one a rescue. Everything was fine until I fed my dogs and she came around and my dogs started barking.” See DOG • Page 3
Gov. Robert Bentley released Monday morning his call for the Alabama Legislature’s Special Session, which convened Monday at 4 p.m. The governor’s call includes two items: • A constitutional amendment enabling a state lottery to support the state’s General Fund; and • Legislation providing funding for Medicaid, infrastructure and/or debt repayment. “This call is designed for the Alabama Legislature to address adequate support of essential state services including children, the elderly, people with mental illness and support for men and women in law enforcement,” Bentley said. “A primary focus of this special session is for legislators to allow the people within their district the right to vote on a statewide lottery. “I am looking forward See SESSION • Page 3
Five arrested on drug charges in Goodwater STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
Coosa County Sheriff’s Office arrested five people on drug and other charges last week after discovering illegal activity as they searched for a suspect in the Goodwater area. According to a released statement, CCSO personnel, working with U.S. Marshal’s Service, Talladega County Drug Task Force and Talladega Sheriff’s Office, attempted to serve a felony warrant on Jacob Street in Goodwater for a suspect wanted in Talladega County. While attempting to locate the subject, Deputies discovered several individuals committing drug related crimes. During the investigation of the scene a large amount of narcotics were recovered, along
with several firearms and a large amount of cash. The following individuals were taken into custody for the listed charges: • Arthur Legrant Cox, 29, of Goodwater Leonard Searcy was arrested on charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana first degree. Cox is currently being held in the Coosa County Jail on $35,000 bond. • Lewis Demerkit Searcy, 35, of Clay County was arrested on the charge of possession of a controlled substance. Searcy is currently being held in the Coosa County Jail on $25,000 bond. • Padre Lesuer Leonard, 37, of Cox Twymon Goodwater was arrested on charges of pos- Whetstone session of marijuana first degree and posSubmitted / The Outlook session of drug paraphernalia. Leonard is Coosa County Sheriff’s Offi ce arrested five people on drug currently being held in the Coosa County and other charges after discovering illegal activities as they See GOODWATER • Page 3 searched for a suspect in the Goodwater area.
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