Dec 6, 2016 Alex City Outlook

Page 1

OPINION: WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! SEND US A LETTER, PAGE 4.

THE LOCAL NEWS PAGE 7

VOLUNTEERS BRAVE THE RAIN IN TRASH WALK

SPORTS, PAGE 12

TUESDAY

Rebels upbeat about upcoming season

Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892

December 6, 2016 Vol. 124, No. 244 www.alexcityoutlook.com

City accepts deal in ‘debtors prison’ suit By MITCH SNEED Editor

The Alexander City City Council voted Monday night to accept a mediation settlement of a class action lawsuit that was filed as a result of a now abandoned city policy that jailed people convicted of some crimes when they didn’t have the ability to pay all of their fines immediately. A federal class action lawsuit filed in September of last year by the Montgomery-based Southern Poverty Law Center alleged that Alexander City “has maintained

a modem-day debtors’ prison” that targets the poor, keeping residents in jail because they are unable to immediately pay fines and court costs. The suit was filed on behalf of plaintiffs D’Angelo Foster and Amanda Underwood. Both claim to have been victims of the practice where if they were unable to pay the entire amount of court costs and fines, they were incarcerated until the money was paid or credited at a rate of $20 per day toward their debt – or $40 per day if appointed as a jail trusty to do jobs such as laundry, cleaning and washing police cars. Underwood is a mother of five who worked at a

pizza restaurant in Alexander City and had borrowed her friend’s car to pick up food for her friend’s children and received a traffic ticket for driving with a suspended license. When she went to court, she didn’t have enough for the fine and court fee. It took her five days to work off the $230 in fines and fees. Attempts to reach Underwood Monday night were unsuccessful. Since that filing, a total of 192 people were identified as a class that fit into the same treatment under that now See SETTLEMENT • Page 3

Statewide outdoor burn ban lifted

Man found guilty in strangling, abduction case By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer

STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

A Tallapoosa County jury took 17 minutes to find Eddie Donnell Thomas guilty in a strangulation and abduction case Monday based on two minutes of video and less than 90 minutes of testimony from the state. “The video pretty much spoke for itself,” Fifth Judicial Circuit Assistant District Attorney Jeremy Duerr Thomas said. “There was not much arguing needed.” The first one-minute video showed Thomas busting through a door of a Washington Boulevard home in Tallassee May 3 of this year, moving hastily across the room to a victim known to Thomas before pinning See GUILTY • Page 8

Cliff Williams / The Outlook

Residents gather in the alley between 33 and 41 Main Street for Rally in the Alley. A plan is being considered to close the alley to vehicle traffic and have the space used for events like this and public use by pedestrians. A public hearing is set for Dec. 19.

CLOSING THE GAP Public hearing set on downtown alley plan By MITCH SNEED Editor

The Alexander City Council voted Monday night to set a public hearing on Dec. 19 on a plan to close a downtown alleyway to create a pedestrian friendly area that could serve multiple purposes. The idea is to close the alley between the buildings at 33 Main and 41 Main and make it a public walkway that could feature tables, seating where functions and events could be held. It could also serve as a place where citizens could eat lunch or sit and enjoy food from neighboring

businesses. The concept was first introduced as part of the city’s master plan, but has seen similar use with events like Rally In The Alley in recent years. “What we did tonight was set a public hearing,” said Councilman Bobby Tapley. “This will be a time when the public can come and have their voices heard on the idea.” In addition to creating a quaint gathering place, some believe that the closure to vehicle traffic will increase safety. It is difficult to see if you are navigating between See COUNCIL • Page 8

Today’s

See BURN • Page 3

Residents warned of potential scams

Weather

64 45 High

Governor Robert Bentley and Interim State Forester Gary Cole rescinded the statewide Drought Emergency ‘No Burn’ Order Monday, which had been in effect since early November. Officials with the Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) say the state has received enough rainfall over the last few days to reduce the threat of dangerous wildfires. “In recent days we have seen significant rainfall across our state and the Alabama Forestry Commission now believes the worst of the drought has ended,” Bentley said. “I want to thank the Forestry Commission and the dozens of local fire departments that have worked so hard to ensure the thousands of wildfires didn’t get out of hand. These men and women have worked long hours under intense conditions to prevent as much damage as possible. We will continue to work with stake holders across the state to help everyone recover from the drought.” According to Cole, “Although all counties in the state will return to having burn permits available, we should bear in

Low

STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

Lake Martin

Lake Levels

483.27 Reported on 12/5/16 @ 7 p.m.

LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443

laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL

6

54708 90050 USPS Permit # 013-080

8

Cliff Williams / The Outlook

Horseshoe Bend Military Park hosts open house

Luminaries were set up at Horseshoe Bend National Military Park Saturday as the park hosted an open house. Hundreds of the luminaries were set up with battery operated lights and greeted guests as they traveled around the park. Guests that entered the park center were able to enjoy refreshments along with coffee or hot coco.

Residents should be on the alert to scammers who are trying to fleece area residents in several different scams, including one being done in the name of the Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Department. Tallapoosa County Sheriff Jimmy Abbett said that some residents have received calls from someone saying that the recipient missed jury duty and needed to pay a fine immediately. “The caller is identifying himself as Lieutenant Hayes with our department and telling persons that they missed jury duty and asking for funds,” Abbett said. “Please be aware of these calls and the Tallapoosa See SCAMS • Page 3

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