LOCAL EVENTS, PAGE 5
OPINION: DRUG-RELATED CRIMES NEED OUR ATTENTION, PAGE 4.
FRIDAY
THE
See what’s happening this holiday season
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
December 2, 2016 Vol. 124, No. 242 www.alexcityoutlook.com
SHERIFF TALKS RISE IN OPIOID ABUSE, HEROIN By MITCH SNEED Editor
Tallapoosa County Sheriff said there have been spikes in methamphetamine and pharmaceutical use and spoke about other alarming trends in the county’s crime and what his office was doing to prevent them. Sheriff Jimmy Abbett said drug trends are changing as more opiate based drugs enter into circulation from a number of illegal and legal sources.
Tallapoosa County Sheriff Jimmy Abbett spoke at the Dadeville Kiwanis Club Thursday on a variety of TCSO topics, among them the latest trend in illegal drug activity in the county.
However he said the Tallapoosa County Narcotics Task Force still identified marijuana as the “drug of choice,” and Abbett said his office added trafficking charges to the synthetic cannabinoid Spice on Wednesday. “Terrible drug, terrible. Actually it has after effects on down the line that you’re actually dealing with in years to come, we don’t know what it’s actually laced with,” said Abbett. See DRUGS • Page 3
Corey Arwood / The Outlook
Task Force makes five arrests on drug charges
Officials talk holiday fire safety By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
County and city fire officials say the holidays bring an increase in structure fires for a variety of reasons, but they also offer a number of ways to reduce that risk. Although the possibilities are endless, one the Alex City Fire Chief, Hackneyville Volunteer Fire Department assistant chief and the county Emergency Management Agency director all agreed on was heating with space heaters. Both Jones and Mathis said fires this time of year mostly originate from space heater elements and an inadequate distance left between it and a flammable object. “A lot of times we don’t want to turn on the actual furnace,” Jones said. She said that was largely a result of the temperature fluctuating rapidly between highs and lows. She encouraged residents who use propane to have their tanks filled in order to avoid the use of space heaters. But Jones and Mathis both said adequate space was crucial, and Jones said at least a minimum of 3 feet clearance was required. EMA Director Moran said, “Heating See SAFETY • Page 3
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
April Neese talks with a student preparing to board a bus at Jim Pearson Wednesday. Neese will leave pearson to become principal at Stephens in January.
FLYING HIGH
New principal aims to educate whole child at Stephens By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
A new principal will soon lead the way for third and fourth-graders as well as staff and faculty at a local elementary school after a well-rounded past in the Alexander City School System. April Neese was announced as the new principal at Nathaniel Stephens Elementary School at Tuesday’s Alexander City Board of Education meeting. See PRINCIPAL • Page 3
Today’s
See ARREST • Page 3
Meals on Wheels taking Chick-Fil-A sack lunch orders
Weather
61 41 High
Five people have been arrested and investigators with the Tallapoosa County Narcotics Task Force seized synthetic marijuana, illegal prescription drugs, cash, a vehicle and digital scales after a Wednesday raid in Alexander City. According to Sgt. Fred White, the Wednesday operation was the result of “doing physical surveillance of the suspected distribution site for several weeks.” Arrested in the execution of the warrant were: Demetrius “Dab” Burroughs, 28, of Alexander City on charges of trafficking in spice, trafficking in hydrocodone, possession of marijuana 2nd degree and possession of drug paraphernalia. Olivia Montresa Watts, 19, of Alexander City on charges of trafficking in spice, trafficking in hydrocodone, possession of marijuana 2nd degree and possession of drug paraphernalia. Craig Demonte Herron,
Low
By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
483.10 Reported on 11/1/16 @ 6 p.m.
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443
laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL
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54708 90050 USPS Permit # 013-080
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PAVEMENT READY
Contractors seal cracks in the pavement in the Broad Street Plaza parking lot Thursday to prepare for the start of paving on the project which began in July. The project is being paid for by Transportation Alternative Program funds received from the Federal Highway Administration (FHA) through the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA). Total cost of the project is $544,000 for which the city’s required 20 percent match – plus city engineering and inspection costs – is $125,000.
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Who likes a chicken sandwich? To be more specific, who likes a Chick-fil-A sandwich? With no Chick-fil-A in the area many in the Alexander City area plan trips around meals at a Chick-fil-A. But Alexander City is lucky every once in a while as Meals on Wheels will have Chickfil-A Sack Lunch benefitting the organization. Thursday, Dec. 8 is the day Chick-fil-A addicts can feed their habit. “We are having our sack lunch benefit next week,”
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Meals on Wheels Sharon Penton said. “We are taking orders through Monday at 2 p.m. and will deliver on Thursday.” The sack lunches include those favorite Chick-fil-A sandwiches with chips and a cookie and cost just $6. Penton said the lunches can be delivered or picked up just let them know when you order at 256-329-7382. Penton said there are others ways you help Meals on Wheels. “We are looking for volunteers to deliver meals,” Penton said. “Just call and let them know you can help.”
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