Weekend The Outlook
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
INSIDE, A7: JACOB’S LADDER STUDENTS RIDE POLAR EXPRESS
December 16-17, 2017 Vol. 125, No. 249 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
BIG CASE BACKLOG: Officers lead Edward Thomas into the Alexander City Jail upon his arrest for the murder of LaDarrell Hart.
Nine homicide death cases await trial in Tallapoosa County
By MITCH SNEED Editor
Nine people lost their lives in cases that have been deemed homicides over the last three years in Tallapoosa County. Despite the oldest of those cases being more than three years old, there are still 11 men facing murder charges that have not been to trial. While it would seem that would mean that 2018 could see a glut of murder trials play out in court, that isn’t likely the case. Judge Tom Young said because Dadeville and Alexander City are part of a circuit that covers five counties, there are limited terms and court days to fit in a massive amount of cases.
File / The Outlook
“We have two trial terms in Alexander City and two in Dadeville,” Young said. “Those terms consist of two weeks each. So looking at a best-case scenario, knowing that there are other cases besides those, you may be able to get in one murder case per term in each location. That’s assuming that the cases are ready.”
Consider this list that awaits trial:
• Dean Carl Stevens, 52, has been indicted on two counts of capital murder in the shooting deaths of Dianna Mitchell Sharpe, 48, and Robert Wayne Mitchell by a Tallapoosa County Grand Jury in Aug. 2016. The brother and sister were shot See CASES • Page A3
Angel dolls a judge’s gift to adoptees
Council to consider ADA contract, sales tax holiday
By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
For the past four years, Tallapoosa County Probate Judge Leon Archer has tried to make the day a child is adopted a special time. In order to help ensure the children being adopted take happy memories away from that day, the judge gives the new adoptee a handmade angel doll to take home with them. “When we have an adoption, it’s just a little token to remember the day they were adopted,” Archer said. “The younger ones don’t always understand what they’re doing here. After all the legal portions of the adoption are over, I bring out the doll, and the child’s face just lights up.” Since starting this four years ago, Archer estimates he has handed out between 50 and 75 angel dolls to children being adopted. He said he keeps several, both boy and girl dolls, in his office at any given time. See DOLLS • Page A3
Today’s
Weather
55 38 High
Low
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
483.86 Reported on 12/15/17 @ 5 p.m.
LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443
laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL
6
54708 90050 USPS Permit # 013-080
8
By MITCH SNEED Editor
“Not only are we having difficulty in replacing him for all he does, the city is as well,” Larkin Radney said. Wagoner was instrumental in starting the downtown farmers market and helping with grants for renovating facades in downtown only steps from his childhood home. “I grew up on these streets,” Wagoner said.
A plan to continue the city’s effort to comply with the American With Disabilities Act and consideration of the city’s participation in the State’s Severe Weather Sales Tax Holiday are on the agenda for Monday’s meeting of the Alexander City City Council. Like all cities across the country, Alexander City is facing a May 2018 deadline to have a plan in place to become ADA compliant. The council will consider a contract with Foresite Group, Inc. to begin implementation of the first two phases of the city’s compliance plan. The ADA prohibits unjustified discrimination based on disability, requires covered employers to provide reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities and imposes accessibility requirements on public accommodations. Those requirements for public and employee accommodations are
See WAGONER • Page A2
See COUNCIL • Page A3
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Dedie Hendrix hugs Richard Wagoner Thursday at a board meeting of Main Street Alex City. Main Street’s board gathered to say goodbye to Wagoner, a man who changed the face of downtown.
Main Street says bye to former director By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Richard Wagoner has been a main stay of Alexander City – growing up just blocks from downtown to being a school principal to director of Main Street Alexander City. Thursday, Main Street’s board gathered to say goodbye to the man who changed the face of downtown.
Extension office, Beekeeping association offering beekeeping class By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
For those who may be interested in learning more about the subject of beekeeping, including how to get started with their own hives, the Tallapoosa County Extension Office and the Tallapoosa River Beekeeping Association will be offering a beekeeping class beginning Jan. 16. The class is open to anyone who may be interested in becoming a beekeeper and setting up a hive, as well as those who may simply want to learn more about the topic in order to make a more informed decision about taking part in such a hobby, according to Tallapoosa County Extension Coordinator Shane Harris. “This class will be giving basic instructions for those getting into the field of beekeeping and help them prepare for the upcoming year,” he said. “We will go over some of the expenses, necessary supplies and equipment, and the proper maintenance of a beehive.” See BEEKEEPING • Page A3
File / The Outlook
Keith Robinson walks away from beehives in his yard in Dadeville. The Tallapoosa County Extension Office and the Tallapoosa River Beekeeping Association will be offering a beekeeping class.
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