OPINION: CHRISTMAS PARADE WAS A SPECIAL EVENT, PAGE 4.
THURSDAY
THE
WHAT’S HAPPENING? CALENDAR, PAGE 5.
December 15, 2016
Vol. 124, No. 251
Sports, page 10.
www.alexcityoutlook.com
Col. Tom’s Tavern struck by arsonist
Storeowner files suit over liquor license veto By MITCH SNEED Editor
The owner of a liquor store in the Wall Street Community has filed suit against the Tallapoosa County Commissioners and the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board after the store’s liquor license was denied Jitenda and Bena Patel of PJ’s One Stop at 1990 S. Tallassee Drive are the owners of the store and the suit was filed last Thursday in Montgomery Circuit Court by attorney Wesley Pitters of Montgomery. In November, Mr. Patel spoke to the commissioners asking for his liquor license to be granted. He said that even though the commissioners had granted a beer and wine license the previous month, he said there was no reason not to grant the license. Patel said there had been no violations or issues under his ownership. The commissioner declined to reconsider at that meeting in the item that was not on the agenda. After the meeting they instructed Patel how to renew the request in writing. Rather than waiting, Patel filed suit. “He has asserted his right to have the matter decided by the court,” Tallapoosa County Attorney Thomas Radney said. “At this point it will be in the hands of the court or the ABC board to reconsider and whatever happens the county will abide by the decision. The commissioners were acting on
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Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
State Fire Marshal says Wednesday fire was deliberately set By MITCH SNEED Editor
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
An SUV navigates down a downtown alley that will be the subject of a public hearing as a proposal to close the alley to vehicle traffic goes before the Alexander City Council on Monday. Below, a conceptual drawing shows what the finished product could look like, versus what it currently looks like.
CLEAR PASSAGE? Businesses weigh in on proposal to close Main Street alley
By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
See ARSON • Page 9
With the Alexander City City Council expected to host a public hearing on the potential repurposing of a downtown alleyway on Monday agenda, the idea is getting mixed reaction from downtown business owners and local residents. Meredith Collari is one of about six members of a Leadership Lake Martin team that set out on the project, which she said was picked up in September. Collari said the idea was developed to act in conjunction with a number of other renovation projects undertaken in the downtown area. She said the idea was to, “make
See LAWSUIT • Page 3
Palmer Place advocates for local children
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
The interior of Colonel Tom’s Tavern was heavily damaged by a Wednesday morning fire.
See ALLEY • Page 3
BRHS Drama Team ranked superior at state festival By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
EDITOR’S NOTE: The United Way of the Lake Martin Area partners with 27 agencies that serve the local area in a variety of important ways. For the next several weeks, The Outlook will briefly profile each of those 27 agencies. Today, the Palmer Place is featured. Who and what is Palmer Place? Palmer Place is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in See UNITED WAY • Page 3
Alabama State Fire Marshal Scott Pilgreen said Wednesday that a fire at a Dadeville area nightclub is being investigated as a case of arson. Colonel Tom’s Tavern at 10207 County Road 34 near Dadeville was heavily damaged in a Wednesday morning fire. Officials say a call to 9-1-1 came in reporting the blaze at 3:55 a.m. “It was a set fire and we are working with local investigators to determine the details surrounding it,” Pilgreen told the Outlook. “At this time, that’s about all we can release but we do suspect we are dealing with an arson.” While officials have not indicated how or where the fire may have started, damage to the outside of the structure and the charred interior suggests that the fire was centered along a front wall and the attic of the building. The interior of the building, which featured
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
Adeline Treadwell and Tess Staples perform a scene for members of the Alexander City School Board. They also performed the same piece for the state competition. +
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The Benjamin Russell High School Drama Team showed it ranks among the best in the state, with several students ranking “superior” in multiple categories at the Walter Trumbauer Festival in Florence. After a season of successful performances in local district competitions several members from the Benjamin Russell High School Drama team qualified for a state theatre festival and recently traveled to North Alabama to participate in the two-day event. Team Director Shannon Culver said students were performing in three categories: musical acting, makeup design and playwriting. Out of those sections, she said six of her students received superior rankings from the judges at the festival. She said there were four who received the
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See DRAMA • Page 3
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