LOCAL EVENTS, PAGE 6
OPINION: TAKE STEPS TO PREVENT TROUBLE FROM COLD TEMPS, PAGE 4.
FRIDAY
THE
Jacob’s Ladder Christmas Celebration
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
December 9, 2016 Vol. 124, No. 247 www.alexcityoutlook.com
LOCAL WOMAN KILLED IN VIOLENT CRASH By MITCH SNEED Editor
A local woman was killed in a Thursday morning accident near the intersection of Highway 280 and County Road. At about 8 a.m. a small passenger car was struck by an oncoming tractor-trailer that was headed eastbound on Highway 280. According to Detective Commander Lt. James Easterwood, Brandy Hardman, 38, was the
only passenger in the car and was pronounced dead on the scene. Easterwood said that the accident remains under investigation, but did say that the truck was traveling eastbound and struck the vehicle driven by Hardman while it was navigating the intersection. One witness indicated that the truck did not stop at the traffic signal and Hardman was turning onto Highway 280 coming from the direction of Wal-mart. The impact of the crash could be heard from almost
a mile away and at the scene the vehicle was so badly damaged it was hard to ascertain the make and model. While the mother of three perished, the driver of the truck was at the scene and didn’t appear to be seriously injured. It was unclear if he was taken for treatment. “We have an idea of what happened, but we’d rather not speculate until the investigation is complete,” Easterwood said. “It involved a tractor-trailer and a smaller car and it was a very violent crash. Our thoughts See COLLISION • Page 2
Audit finds state grad rates inflated
Pedestrian hit and critically injured Investigators still don’t know identity of victim By MITCH SNEED Editor
A man was critically injured after being struck by a vehicle early Thursday morning, but police officials say they don’t know who the victim is or why he may have been walking along a busy highway after midnight. According to Alexander City Police Department Detective Commander Lt. James Easterwood preliminary information is that the man may have stepped into the path of oncoming traffic on Highway 22 near Fish Pond Road in Alexander City. “All we really know is that he is a black male who was badly injured when he was struck by a vehicle at about midnight,” Easterwood said. “There were reports that he had been walking in the road at some time before the accident. “It’s very dark along that part of Highway 22, but other than we what we See PEDESTRIAN • Page 2
44 25 Low
Lake Levels
483.40 Reported on 12/8/16 @ 6 p.m.
LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443
laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL
54708 90050 USPS Permit # 013-080
HORSE BUSINESS Study shows equine industry brings major capital to state
By ALETHIA RUSSELL Staff Writer
An Auburn University study revealed Alabama has a quite lucrative industry contributing to the state’s bottom line. The horse industry is reportedly ushering an estimated $2.8 billion into the state’s economy according to the numbers published by graduate research assistant Darcey Richburg. Locally, our equine friends are key players in events and attractions, boarding, recreation use and even trail
By ELLA MACFIGGEN PATH President
Lake Martin
6
Kenneth Boone / The Outlook
Above, Stanley Ingram drives a horse and carriage on a tour at the Stables at Russell Lands. A new study shows the horse industry contributes an estimated $2.08 billion to the state’s economy.
maintenance. According to Stables Special Events Coordinator for Russell Lands, Linda Ingram, most of the horse population in the state and local area is comprised of quarter horses, which are popular because of their relaxing type of ride and are more suitable for recreational use. The Stables offers guided horseback rides, wagon and carriage rides for families and weddings and an all around outdoor experience. See HORSES • Page 3
It was with great fanfare that state school officials announced dramatic improvement in the high school graduation rates over the last four years, but it appears that those numbers may have been inaccurate. Thursday the Alabama State Department of Education announced that a review of recent graduation rates by the Office of Inspector General, which resides within the United States Department of Education, found that the numbers were found to have been elevated. “We are accountable to all people of this state and deeply regret the misstating of our graduation rate,” said Superintendent of Education Michael Sentance. “We are now undergoing a meticulous review to ensure that all monitoring and data collection is performed with fidelity.” In 2013-14, the year that was the primary subject of the audit, the state showed a 6 percent jump in grad rates from 80 to 86 percent. Locally that academic year, the grad rates for Benjamin Russell climbed 6 percent and 12 percent at Dadeville High School. It was unclear what inpact the findings had on local numbers. According to a release issued by ALSDE, two major factors played into the inflated grad rates: See GRAD • Page 3
Community leaders consider Blue Zone Project for area
Today’s
Weather High
STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
8
Alexander City took the first step to gauging interest in becoming a Blue Zones Project Wednesday with a meeting of about 60 local community leaders. Tony Buettner, national speaker, world traveler and Blue Zones co-founder, presented documented evidence and best practices that have worked in over 38 communities, nine states and three statewide projects transforming them into healthier communities. Tony presented the history of Blue Zones — five areas in the world where various studies have shown people live the longest. The National Geographic-
sponsored research produced nine characteristics of why these areas have some of the healthiest people, dubbed The Power 9. Those traits include: • Plant Slant — eating a plantbased diet • Moving naturally • Belong — Being active in a faith-based community • Purpose — Having a reason to get up every day • Downshift — Finding time to meditate or reflect • 80 percent rule — Stop eating when 80 percent full • Wine at 5 — Having a libation or two with friends after work • Family First — Nurturing relationships with family • Right Tribe — Spending time See BLUE • Page 3
Now Playing:
Ar rival – PG-13 Moana 3D – PG Fantastic Beast s 3D – PG-13
Submitted / The Outlook
Pictured above at last week’s Blue Zone Kickoff meeting Jim Peace, CEO and president Russell Medical, Ella MacFiggen, president PATH, Sharon Fuller, executive director United Way, Tony Buettner, vice president Blue Zones, Ed Collari, president Alexander City Chamber of Commerce.