OPINION, PAGE A4
PAGE A9
Catch up on the local sermons, community event recap!
SPORTS Dadeville loses to Benjamin Russell
Memories make holiday season special
Page B1.
THE RECO CORD RD Serving the h Dadeville d & Lake Martin area since 1897
WWW.THEDADEVILLERECORD.COM
VOL. 119, NO. 50
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2016
Apparent arsonist strikes Col. Tom’s Tavern State Fire Marshal says Wednesday fire was deliberately set
By MITCH SNEED Editor
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 walls that were largely plywood, was gutted by the flames. No official estimate was given on the amount of damage, but from the outside looking in equipment, fixtures, seating and appliances appears to be See ARSON • Page A5
The interior of Colonel Tom’s Tavern was heavily damaged by a Wednesday morning fire.
Federal suit filed in TCSD shooting
Council approves improvements to lights at McKelvey Park By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Dadeville will see construction in the coming months at McKelvey Park and around the courthouse square. New to the city lights have been donated to improve the lighting on the youth fields at McKelvey Park. “The lighting is really poor,” Dadeville Dixie Youth President Stacy Ayers said. “We have somebody that has donated some used lights. We also have an electrical contractor that is willing to put them up for us.” The Dadeville City Council approved the move at Tuesday night’s meeting. Ayers also asked about removing the permanent mounds at the park so that the fields can be used for both softball and baseball with movable mounds. The move would help with the numbers of children taking part. “We are maxed out,” Ayers said. “We had about 338 last year.” See COUNCIL • Page A7
Cliff Williams / The Record
Fletcher’s family seeks damages By MITCH SNEED Editor Cliff Williams / The Record
PARADE CHARADES Dadeville residents bring holiday cheer to the streets The Grinch was caught in the act stealing Christmas at the Dadeville Christmas Parade Sunday. The Grinch, played by Kyle Sasser, was chased by Dadeville Police officers Lt. Chris Martin and Kyle Hughes. The Grinch was pardoned by Santa for the third straight year. For more photos from Sunday’s event, see page 6.
The family of a mentally challenged man who was shot and killed after waving a gun in the direction of officers responding to a complaint has filed suit against the Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Department and the deputy involved. On Feb. 11, 2015 46-year-old Fletcher Ray Stewart was killed after units responded to reports that a man had walking along Booger Hollow Road with “a gun and threatening to kill people.” Deputies on the scene encountered Stewart and after a brief foot chase reportedly ordered him to drop the weapon that was later found to be a BB gun. When he failed to comply, the deputy fired, killing Stewart. Even though a Tallapoosa County Grand Jury found no wrongdoing by the deputy or the department, the suit filed last week in Montgomery alleges that Stewart’s civil rights were violated and seeks unspecified damages as a result. Stewart’s family is represented in the suit by Montgomery-based attorney Grif Sikes Jr. Attempts to reach Sikes or family members See LAWSUIT • Page A5
Suspect arrested in Goldville donkey killing
Residents ask county to revisit landfill permit
By MITCH SNEED Editor
Citizens claim conditions around Stone’s Throw are unhealthy
Officials have arrested the Dadeville teen they believe is responsible for shooting a donkey to death in Daviston. The Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Department announced Friday the arrest of 18-year-old Ethan Christopher Towne of Dadeville on charges of aggravated cruelty Towne to animals and discharging a firearm from, upon or across a public road. See DONKEY • Page A3
Weather
47 28 High
Low
By MITCH SNEED Editor
Carmen Rodgers / The Record
R Residents around Stone’s Throw Landfill say that truck traffic along area roads conttinues at all hours of the day and night, making it tough to get any rest with the noise.
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
483.43 Reported on 12/14s/16 @ 4:30 p.m.
LAKE AREA REALTY
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Rhonda Gaskins, Broker ® Lake Martin” Cell: (256) 749-3644 rhonda@lakearearealty.net 440 N. Broadnax Street Q Dadeville, AL
Residents living near the Advanced Disposal’s Stones Throw Landfill asked the Tallapoosa County Commissioners to revisit its decision to allow the landfill to operate as a renewal
of its permit is under review. Rev. Leon Henderson and Sam Alexander attended Monday’s regular commissioners meeting. Henderson said that residents near the landfill, most of See LANDFILL • Page A3
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