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December 11, 2018 Vol. 126, No. 243 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
CACC baseball players sign with Division I program
Camp Hill man sentenced to 14 years Bowens sentenced on 4 counts of manslaughter By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
A well-known member of Edward Bell High School’s 2010 state championship basketball team was sentenced to 14 years in prison Monday after pleading guilty to four counts of manslaughter and leaving the scene of an accident stemming from a 2016 incident that killed four people.
Cobe Dashawan Bowens, 26, of Camp Hill pleaded guilty before Circuit Judge Ray Martin. His sentences of 14 years on each manslaughter count and 10 years for leaving the scene of an accident will Name be served concurrently. The Camp Hill Police Department
identified Bowens as the driver of a rented Dodge pickup truck that investigators said ran through a stop sign shortly after 1 a.m. on Jan. 12, 2016, at a high rate of speed and slammed into a Mitsubishi SUV carrying all four of the victims near the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Street and Holley Avenue in Camp Hill. The crash killed James Moss, 47, Eric Moore, 40, Willie Ballard, 44, and Angela Barnett, 48, all of Camp Hill. Law enforcement said Bowens left the scene after the crash.
At the time, then-Camp Hill police chief Johnny Potts said excessive speed appeared to be a factor. The Camp Hill Police Department was the lead agency at the scene and was assisted by Alabama Law Enforcement Agency State Troopers and the Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Department. Bowens was initially released from jail on a $160,000 bond pending trial but the bond was revoked in July 2018 after Bowens’ arrest in Lafayette on charges of felony burglary and harassment.
Jones talks efforts to pay out VA benefits By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
Sen. Doug Jones (D-AL) said serious oversight hearings could happen if the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs does not address the issue of paying student veterans benefits being withheld due to the VA’s errors. Jones held a conference call with members of the media on Dec. 6 to discuss congressional efforts to take action and ensure veterans get the benefits they deserve through the GI Jones Bill. “We have a lot going on this lame duck session before the holidays,” Jones said. “We are working to get answers from the VA about them not paying out benefits for our veterans.” Jones said he joined Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO) in introducing the Fix Immediately Outstanding Underpayments (IOUs) for Student Veterans Act to the Senate last Tuesday. This piece of bipartisan legislation, which is gaining traction in the Senate, will require the VA to pay out the money student veterans did not receive due to issues and See JONES • Page 3
Today’s
Weather
51 31 High
Low
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
484.81 Reported on 12/10/18 @ 1 p.m.
LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443
laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL
6
54708 90050
Donald Campbell / The Outlook
Larry Bates from Russell Lands marks up the United Way fundraiser thermometer during the campaign update Friday afternoon. The Lake Martin Area United Way is at 84 percent of its $535,000 goal.
Making progress United Way is 84 percent to campaign goal By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
The Lake Martin Area United Way is closing in on the $535,000 goal it set for the 2019 “Be a Lifesaver of Hope” fundraiser campaign, according to numbers released Friday. “We are 84 percent there now,” United Way executive director Sharon Fuller said. “It takes the
Executive director
WANT TO HELP OUT? If you would like to help the United Way reach its $535,000 campaign goal, donations can be made by calling the office at 256329-3600.
By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Tallapoosa County Administrator Blake Beck introduced Sandra Fuller as the county’s new tourism director at Monday’s Tallapoosa County Commission meeting. “You all know her,” Beck said. “She started last Tuesday. I am looking forward to getting our tourism department started.” Fuller comes to the tourism director’s position from the Lake Martin Area Economic Development Alliance. “I just wanted to thank you for believing in me,” Fuller said. “I am excited about this opportunity for Tallapoosa County.” Commission chair T.C. Coley asked for all the commissioners to speak with Fuller about their thoughts on things in their districts she should be aware of that could be attractions. The tourism director position has been discussed for several months at the commission,
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+ Buy
Here + Pay Here + + CLEAN USED CARS No Credit Checks
— Sharon Fuller
Tourism program starts for Tallapoosa County
USPS Permit # 013-080
+
whole community working together to reach this goal.” The organization has received $449,400 since the fundraising campaign began in late August. These funds have come from generous individuals wanting to make a difference and area companies holding campaigns of their own to help the United Way. See UNITED WAY • Page 9
“It takes the whole community working together to reach this goal.”
See TOURISM • Page 3
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Rusty Marcell, right, jokes around after a county commission meeting where the commission acknowledged her service. Marcell is retiring from the county EMA office Dec. 31.
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