See what’s happening in the area with Record columnist Betty Hayes, Page A9
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VOL. 118, NO. 34
THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2015
10-year-old girl dies after being hit by truck
Report released in June 19 fatal boat crash Lighting and lookout cited in Lake Martin collision By Mitch Sneed Record Editor
Inadequate lighting on the part of a pontoon boat and “improper lookout” by the driver of a bass boat were cited as contributing factors in a June 19 Lake Martin crash that left an Alexander City man dead. Alexander City’s Stanley Sides, 66, was killed after a bass boat piloted by John Kenneth Stewart, 45, of Dadeville, struck the pontoon boat that Sides was in control of at the time of the crash. The cause of death was determined to be multiple blunt force traumas by the Alabama Department or Forensic Sciences. Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and its Marine Division conducted the investigation and made the report public Monday. It was 8:55 p.m. when the boats collided in an area said to be in the river channel between Dennis Creek and Mallard Point, and the report indicates that the bass boat was involved in a fishing tournament and was traveling in excess of 40 mph at the time of collision. The pontoon with eight people on board was moving less than 10 mph after the group had gone from Shady Bay to the Wind Creek area to get pizza. The report indicated that the group was eating as they idled back to their point of origin, according to the report. What caused the accident? See REPORT, Page A10
Police call Friday night’s incident on Highway 49 a ‘tragic accident’ By Mitch Sneed Cliff Williams / The Record
City, county and state officials gathered at Piggly Wiggly to cut the ribbon as Mike Patel reopens the store. Patel is no stranger to the area as he operates Store 34.
THE PIG REOPENS Ribbon cut at downtown Dadeville Piggly Wiggly By Cliff Williams Record Staff Writer
“The Pig” is alive and kicking again in Dadeville. “I have been shopping here all my life,” customer Vicky Monroe said. “It is wonderful to have another choice in town.” The Dadeville Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony with town, county and state officials on hand Wednesday at the Dadeville Piggly Wiggly at 132 E. LaFayette St. in Dadeville as the store marked its reopening under new owner Mike Patel. “It is my first grocery store,” Patel said. “I was not planning on going this big, See STORE, Page A3
Cliff Williams / The Record
New Piggly Wiggly owner Mike Patel shakes the hand of customer Vicky Monroe as the store opened for the first time since January.
Record Editor
A tragic accident on Highway 49 South in Dadeville Friday night claimed the life of a 10-year-old Alexander City girl. Dadeville Police Chief David Barbour confirmed that a 10-year-old girl was struck and killed by a Ford F-150 Pickup driven by a 16-year-old Dadeville male teen at 10:40 p.m. near the intersection of Highway 49 South and Aster Road. The girl, whose name was withheld, was pronounced dead a short time later, Barbour said. “There was no excessive speed or alcohol involved,” Barbour said. “The accident is still under investigation, but all indications are that it is just a tragic accident.” Barbour said that the girl was visiting a home on one side of the road and was attempting to cross Highway 49 to get to a car that was waiting to pick her up on the other side of the road. “Apparently she was just intent on getting across the road to get to where her aunt was waiting,” Barbour said. “In the rush to get across the road, she apparently didn’t see the truck approaching and ran right in front of it. He didn’t even have a chance to do anything to avoid her.” Barbour said there were no charges filed, but said due to the ages of those involved, names were being withheld until the investigation is complete. “Our hearts and prayers go out to all of those involved in this accident,” Barbour said. “It is one that will have an impact on all who were involved.”
Judge’s ruling seals fate of Pleasure Point By Betsy Iler
summary judgment in favor of Alabama Power. Perryman denied motions for additional discovFewer than 30 mobile homes ery and injunctive relief filed on and other structures remain at behalf of homeowners in the suit, Lake Martin’s Pleasure Point Park finding that additional discovery and Marina, and a spokesman would not change the ruling. for Alabama Power Company “The environmental contractors Tuesday afternoon said the owners we have hired are taking the lead of the structures have until Sept. in the cleanup and will do so with 14 to remove them. no negative impacts on water qualThe power company has hired a ity,” the power company represenlicensed environmental contracting tative said. company to conduct the cleanup The cleanup was ordered after effort after Circuit Judge Steven the Tallapoosa County Health R. Perryman on July 8 issued a Department issued a Notice of TPI Magazine Editor
Kenneth Boone / The Outlook
While many of the structures at Pleasure Point have been cleared, a July 8 ruling means that any stragglers must be gone by Sept. 14.
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Beulah Baptist Church honors area teachers at luncheon By Willie Moseley Record Staff Writer
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
488.51 Reported on 8/19/15 @ 4 p.m.
Linda Shaffer, REALTOR® C: 256.794.4641 • W: 256.329.5253 shaffer@lakemartin.net 5295 Highway 280, Alexander City, AL
Violation to Alabama Power in July 2013, noting septic tank failures and graywater discharge problems could not be remedied until structures were removed from the premises. The power company had leased the 25.8-acre mobile home park and marina to Lausanne Walters of Florida, and residents reported that despite reports to Walters of the inadequate conditions, she apparently took little or no action to make reparations. Alabama Power’s spokesman said the company has made no See RULING, Page A3
Often, teachers are honored at the end of a particular scholastic year. However, one church in rural Tallapoosa County has been bucking that trend for half a dozen years by saluting area teachers and school officials at the beginning of the school year. Beulah Baptist Church, located between Reeltown and Union, presented its sixth annual “Teachers Appreciation Luncheon” on Saturday. Dozens of attendees came from school systems in Reeltown, Dadeville, Tallassee, Alexander City, and Opelika and included Tallapoosa County Superintendent of Education Joe Windle and Reeltown School principal Tom Cochran. Event director Dottie Carnes wel-
comed guests and Rev. Tim Davis offered a prayer. Following lunch, remarks were made by Micki Knox and a message in song was provided by Emily Urqhart. The speaker was Lindsey Zimmer, a graduate of Reeltown High School who was the recipient of multiple scholarships and presently attends the University of Alabama. She was introduced by Faye Orton. Carnes and Orton supervised door prize drawings and introduced teachers. Supplies were provided to attending educational personnel and the event director was appreciative of the support of area businesses that donated supplies, as well as financial supporters. “I start working on this around April,” Carnes said of the event, “and I’m already looking forward to next year.”
Willie Moseley / The Record
Dottie Carnes shares a lighthearted moment with attendees at Saturday’s event at Beulah.