THE OPINION, 4
Flowers talks election’s winners and losers
WEDNESDAY SPORTS, 10
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
Rebels swept away by Generals in opener
December 5, 2018 Vol. 126, No. 1239 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
Arrest made in fatal hit and run By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
The Alexander City Police Department said Tuesday night it arrested a suspect in a fatal hit-and-run accident that killed a woman on the River Bridge Nov. 29. Robert Lancaster, 34, of Jackson’s Gap was arrested and charged with manslaughter and leaving the scene of an accident that results in serious injury or death. Police chief Jay Turner was not hopeful authorities would make an arrest so quickly. “They pulled off the nearly impossible,” Turner said. “I didn’t Lancaster think they would get this close this soon.” ACPD Lt. Chris Spivey and Investigator Drew Machen were handed the case last Thursday morning after a witness drove up to find Tina Doranne Guerrero, 50, of Alexander City in the roadway. Guerrero’s vehicle had stopped on the bridge and she was outside of her vehicle. Machen said she likely had run out of gas. “I went to every business on Highway 280 between town and the chip mill looking for video,” Machen said. “The one that showed it was from River North.” Spivey said police developed a good lead from the video. “We were able to identify a possible vehicle,” Spivey said. “Once we made contact with the vehicle and we found out who it could possibly be.” Turner believes Guerrero was struck sometime before 1:36 a.m. last Thursday and said Guerrero’s body had been sent for an autopsy. Lancaster’s bond had not been set as of press time Tuesday night. Lancaster has no criminal history, according to court records. Records show two minor traffic tickets and a couple of civil cases.
Today’s
Weather
48 27 High
Mixed feedback Twin meetings spark support, opposition for city moving to Russell Sales Office By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Top: Alexander City Police Department Chief Jay Turner speaks at one of Tuesday’s public meetings where city officials presented an option for renovating the old Russell Sales Office into a municipal complex. Above: Community development director Al Jones speaks to guests at the meeting.
Alexander City officials held two meetings Tuesday to answer questions from business owners and citizens about a potential renovation of the Russell Sales Office into a municipal complex. The two meetings were different, with officials being challenged earlier in the day at Central Alabama Community College by board members with Main Street Alexander City about the possible negative impact the move of the police department and city hall would have on downtown businesses. At the evening meeting at the old courthouse downtown, naysayers seemed to warm to the idea of the move. In the early meeting, Dr. Brooks Lamberth, a Main Street board member who has renovated several downtown buildings, thinks moving city hall See MUNICIPAL • Page 9
Christmas in the Park set Saturday
How charitable is the area? Local agencies: Lake Martin is a giving community
Low
By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer 6
54708 90050
8
USPS Permit # 013-080
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
483.94 Reported on 12/04/18 @ 8 p.m.
LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443
laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL
+
With Christmas fast approaching, it can feel like groups and organizations are popping up all over the place asking for charitable donations. Organizations large and small air commercials encouraging the public to contribute financially to help the agency accomplish its mission. This time of the year, people are feeling more generous than usual, but how giving are the people of Alabama? According to a study conducted by the online group See CHARITY • Page 3
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File / The Outlook
Marvin Kelley, center, rings the bell for the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle campaign at Walmart Friday. Kelley is an employee at Salvation Army and was filling in a for a volunteer who had to cancel. To volunteer to ring the bell, call the Salvation Army store at 256-215 3730.
We Care About You
The Alexander City Parks and Recreation Department will offer local residents an opportunity to get into the holiday spirit Saturday with its annual Christmas in the Park event. “The event is this Saturday from 2 to 9 p.m.,” Kristi Hardy with the parks and recreation department said. “We are currently weighing our options with regards to the impending weather, and all updates will be published on our Facebook page.” During the event, children will hear stories told by Mrs. Claus, enter a coloring contest, ride on a carousel and train and get their photos taken with Santa. There will See CHRISTMAS • Page 3
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