OPINION: GET IN THE GIVING SPIRIT AT UNITED WAY KICKOFF , PAGE 4.
Wildcats open volleyball season
TUESDAY
THE COMMUNITY CALENDAR
See what’s going on in the area, page 5.
Sports, Page 10.
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892 August 30, 2016
Vol. 124, No. 174
www.alexcityoutlook.com
Sunday sales show solid first-day results “We did begin Sunday sales and it did give us a small boost,” said Brandon Johnson, one of the managers at the Ruby Tuesday location on Highway 280 in Alexander City. “It wasn’t as large as we thought it may be, but we didn notice an increase. The big thing is it puts us on the same footing with restaurants in other areas. So we feel like that will be a plus.” As professional football season nears, restaurant owners feel that the added revenue by those wanting a beer with
By MITCH SNEED Editor
The first Sunday where alcoholic beverages were legally sold in Alexander City didn’t touch off any mad dashes to the stores or restaurants at noon, but local retailers and eateries say there was a noticeable bump in sales. Sunday sales became legal in Alexander City after voters overwhelmingly passed a resolution allowing the added day of sales last Tuesday.
their meal while watching a game could even add more traffic. The new hours don’t apply just to restaurants. A drive around area convenience stores, grocers and restaurants found only that Walmart was not selling alcoholic beverages Sunday. A sign near one of the coolers were beer was on display blamed a computer glitch that had not been corrected to allow registers to accept the sale yesterday. Store officials said they expect that to be rectified in
Five people injured in Dadeville shooting
See SHOOTING • Page 3
Today’s
Weather
91 72 High
Low
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
488.76 Reported on 8/29/16 @ 5 p.m.
LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443
laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL
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By MITCH SNEED Editor
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Lake Martin Area United Way Director Sharon Fuller, left, and Malorie Mann pose for a photograph with the group’s frame that the United Way agencies are being asked to construct something silimar for tonight’s kickoff.
BRIGHTER FUTURE United Way Kickoff event set tonight at CACC STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
The Lake Martin Area United Way will launch its “Picture a Brighter Future” 2017 Fundraising Campaign tonight at 5:30 p.m. at the Betty Carol Graham Technology Center at Central Alabama Community College. The public is invited to come out and learn more about the United Way’s 27 member agencies as all will be on hand with booths and information for all who attend. In addition to the kickoff and information, attendees will be treated to hot dogs and a chance to take home prizes as well.
An investigation following a suspicious fire at a local trailer park earlier this month has led to the arrest of two suspects on arson charges. Jennifer Hope Winters, 20, of Alexander City and James Ray Reeves, 34, of Alexander City are both currently facing arson charges related to the fire Aug. 13 blaze at a mobile home at 32 Hilltop Drive in the Oak Hill Trailer Park. According to Alexander City Fire Marshall Craig Clark, a neighbor called the fire in to Cliff Williams / The Outlook authorities at 1:40 a.m. on Aug. This mobile home in the Oak Hills Mobile Home Village was set ablaze on Aug. 13. See ARSON • Page 3
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Executive Director Sharon Fuller said that in keeping with the theme, each agency will decorate a large picture frame that guests can pose inside for photos. Guests will be able to vote on which frame they like best. “I will introduce our United Way board and this season’s pace setter. Pace setters are companies who have stepped forward to say they would like to start the campaign early,” Fuller explained. This year’s pace setter will be Russell Medical Center (RMC). As pace setter, RMC began their campaign in mid-August. At the kickoff, they will announce how much they See UNITED WAY • Page 3
A 40-year-old Childersburg man is facing charges after a bizarre series of events that touched off a search and rescue mission on Lake Martin in the early morning hours Sunday. According to information supplied by Sgt. Steve Jarrett of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Alabama State Troopers from the Marine Patrol Division responded to a report of a missing person on Lake Martin near the entrance of Piney Woods Boat Ramp and the U.S. 280 bridge. It was reported that a man jumped from a moving vessel and was missing. The man was identified as 40-year-old Devlon Blankenship of Childersburg. According to Ken Cowart of the Alex City Rescue Squad, they put Blankenship boats in the water to help in the search. “We were told that Mr. Blankenship was on a pontoon boat with a group of people and got into some sort of argument or altercation with others on the boat,” Cowart said. “With the boat moving about 30 miles per hour, we were told that he jumped off the boat and appeared to have flipped as he hit
Arson arrests made in trailer fire
1720 Dadeville Road • Alexander City, AL
As Low
See SALES • Page 3
Lake search and rescue ends with man’s arrest
By MITCH SNEED Editor
Investigators with the Dadeville Police Department are still searching for details and two suspects believed to be involved in a shooting at a birthday party in Dadeville early Sunday morning. According to Dadeville Police Chief David Barbour, officers were called to the American Legion Hall on East Columbus Street in Dadeville at 12:29 a.m. Sunday on a report of shots fired and individuals injured. The hall had been rented to individuals for a birthday, Barbour said. Upon arrival officers identified five people who had been injured in the shooting. One victim was taken by LifeFlight to Baptist South in Montgomery. Monday he was listed in critical, but stable condition. The other four victims received non-life-threatening injuries, according to Barbour and as of Monday had been released for area hospitals. Two had been taken to East Alabama
time for next week. Clerks said that sales were not heavy, but were steady throughout the day Sunday. One visitor to the area said Sunday that he was pleasantly surprised to see that Sunday sales were now allowed in the area. “I’m here at the lake and stopped to get gas and had to ask if I could buy it,” said Mike Vernon of Irondale. “I know
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Fate of Jackson’s Gap election still unknown By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
It is still not known if there will be a runoff Oct. 4 for mayor in Jackson’s Gap. After the Aug. 23 municipal election incumbent Jeff Walker had 50 percent of the vote but not the required 50 percent plus one, but that is before the four provisional ballots were qualified begging the question of if a runoff is needed. Monday, Jackson’s Gap officials were mum about the results. See JACKSONS GAP • Page 3
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