THE INSIDE, PAGE 3 Students turn out for annual school expo
TUESDAY SPORTS, PAGE 10
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
August 7, 2018 Vol. 126, No. 155 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
Fall practice begins for Wildcats
City to tear down Russell Main Office City council also approves lodging tax increase By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Though many memories and emotions are tied to the structure, the Alexander City City Council approved
the demolition of the Russell Main Office building at Monday’s meeting. “It is a sentimental and emotional decision,� Alexander City Community Development Director Al Jones said. “It is hard to talk about.�
Jones said a recently conducted study informed the council approved show the building’s many deficiencies and would cost over $3 million to bring up to code. “Russell was not in the city limits,� Jones said. “It has no sprinkler system. It is not ADA compliant. It has mold.� With it being vacant and no air conditioning, Jones said the building
has deteriorated beyond repair. The only salvageable items that remain in the building are chandeliers and some old pictures. “It is hard to say,â€? Jones said. “The building has no historical or architectural value.â€? Jones said there was one other issue See COUNCIL • Page 3
City schools handle final personnel matters
Downtown Alex City
Rogers visits local officials By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Alabama Congressman Mike Rogers passed through Tallapoosa County Monday on a whirlwind tour. Rogers had no events with the public in the predominately Republican county, but that did not stop him from visiting with a few people. Photographs on his Instagram account showed him visiting The Rogers Mill Two Eighty with Tammy Jackson, lunch with Tallapoosa County Sheriff Jimmy Abbett and a meeting with Alexander City Mayor Jim Nabors where Russell Medical’s Jim Peace joined in. The Outlook did catch a few minutes with the U.S Representative outside Nabors office in city hall where healthcare and Medicaid expansion were the topics of conversation. “I just told (Nabors and Peace) I serve on the national security committees,â€? Rogers said when asked about solutions for rural healthcare. “I am just not conversed in this. I will try to find out when I get back to D.C. from the folks on the Energy and Commerce Committee which is the committee that has jurisdiction on this.â€? Rogers comments come on the heels of Russell Medical having a reduction in force last week where a lack of Medicaid expansion and more regulations were stated as the cause for many of the issues the medical system is facing. Rogers, who hails from Anniston, See ROGERS • Page 9
Today’s
Weather
74 63 High
Low
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
490.43
Reported on 08/06/18 @ 5 p.m.
LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443
laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL
6 54708 90050 8 USPS Permit # 013-080
By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
BEACHIN’ ON MAIN
Amy Passaretti / The Outlook
Guests enjoyed dancing to tunes by Chevy 6 at Main Street Alexander City’s Beach Bash on Main Saturday night. Downtown businesses were also open so guests could enjoy food and drinks. Beach Bash on Main was an event full of family fun.
With the first day of school a mere 24 hours away, the Alexander City Board of Education held a special-called meeting Monday morning to handle some last-minute personnel matters, while also discussing the timeline in the search for a new superintendent. During the meeting, Trevor Ramey was hired as an English teacher for Alexander City Middle School, Jayme Dewberry was brought on to teach math at Benjamin Russell High School and Cody Glenn was hired to serve as a paraprofessional at Benjamin Russell. The board also approved three resignations, one Family Medical Leave Act request, several contract renewals, a couple of paraprofessional contracts, seven student workers for the After the Bell program, three students to work with robotics programs throughout the system and an athletic supplement at ACMS. Along with the personnel matters, the See BOE • Page 9
Library offers many resources to help area students STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
As students and parents prepare for another school year, remember the library can be a very important part of that preparation. The Adelia M. Russell Library and Mamie’s Place Children’s Library can provide the needed tools to make homework, class projects, book reports and studying less hectic. Homework Alabama (Tutor.com) can connect any student with a tutor for one-on-one guidance in most basic subjects. The Learning Express Library features a school center with mathematics and English language skills for elementary through high school. Along with that is a Career Prep Center, a High School Equivalency Center, a College Admissions section and more. For other reference needs, from reports to science projects, check out the Alabama Virtual Library. This reference See LIBRARY • Page 9
File / The Outlook
The Adelia M. Russell Library and Mamie’s Place Children’s Library provide many tools for area students to make homework, class projects, book reports and studying easier and less hectic.
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