OPINION: WE’D LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU!, PAGE 4.
TUESDAY
THE INSIDE, PAGE 9
One large community cleanup!
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
February 14, 2017 Vol. 125, No. 31 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
SPORTS, PAGE 10 Lady Wildcats play in sub-regionals
Last walls of Russell come down
Final pieces of five structures finally razed, now only debris cleanup remains
By MITCH SNEED Editor
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
Crews work Sunday knocking down walls and moving debris from one of the buildings along Lee Street in Alexander City at the former Russell Corp. complex.
For almost four years people in Alexander City have been waiting for completion of the demolition of the buildings on the former Russell Corp. campus. Monday the last wall of the remaining structures were knocked down, marking a milestone in the process. While there is plenty of work remain-
ing as far as cleanup and debris removal, the progress was a welcomed sign. “It was certainly good to see,” Alexander City Mayor Jim Nabors said. “We have been meeting with people over the last few months and I think we all felt the same way. I wish I could take all the credit, but the people at Fruit of the Loom, Clay Humphries and Chris Champion, deserve the credit for what we have seen over the last
few days. “In reality, there wasn’t much of the demolition that was left and that was what made it so frustrating. I’d look at that little bit and it was almost like I was ready to go knock it down myself.” When much of the operations were shut down by Fruit of the Loom, they turned to Saucier Investments LLC for See RUSSELL • Page 9
Area high schools participate in fishing tourney
County votes to support bond plan for roads
By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
The Tallapoosa County Commissioners approved a resolution urging legislators to approve bond that would extend the life of a program that helps counties and cities across the state address crucial infrastructure needs. The Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation and Improvement Program which was started by Gov. Robert Bentley is completing its run and in order to continue the program, new bonds to provide money to fund an ATRIP 2 initiative is being floated in the legislature. At Monday’s meeting County Engineer David Moore explained that the project has resulted in several projects in the court over the last four years. He said that the Association of County Engineers of Alabama and the Association of County Commissioners of Alabama are urging each county to pass a resolution of support. The initiative that is being debated in the legislature would increase the state gas tax by three cents per gallon. That revenue would be leveraged to fund See COMMISSION • Page 2
A big fish of 4.16 pounds helped the Odenville Bass Club team of Jacob George and Brody Anderson fill a five-fish limit of 11.06 pounds to the win in the Alabama Student Angler Bass Fishing Association Classic Qualifier at Wind Creek Saturday. Benjamin Russell, Dadeville and Reeltown had teams participate in the event. The Dadeville team of Carson McClendon and Slade McCullars finished first amongst those competing from Tallapoosa County with a five fish stringer of 9.15 pounds and a big fish of 3.52 pounds followed by the Reeltown team of Greg Davis and Brody Newman with 8.49 pounds and a big fish of 1.93 pounds. Finishing third locally was Dadeville’s Landon Tidwell and Luke Keel with 8.32 pounds. Competing as a team, Benjamin Russell took fourth through six locally with the See FISHING • Page 3
Today’s
Weather
68 50 High
By MITCH SNEED Editor
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Janet Holmes finishes up a Valentines Day arrangement at Grace’s Flowers Monday in preparation for Valentine’s Day.
BE MY VALENTINE? Local florists busy as sweethearts honor loved ones By MITCH SNEED and CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Today is the holiday for lovers, where sweets for your sweetie and flowers are a hot commodity. It’s Valentine’s Day and guys for heaven’s sake, don’t go home empty handed. Local flower shops were hopping Monday, having already worked a long weekend to get all the arrangements done for today’s deliv-
By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
Lake Levels
483.93 Reported on 2/13/17 @ 6 p.m.
LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443
laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL
6
54708 90050
8
Wind Creek State Park has a lineup of events scheduled for kids and adults alike in the upcoming months, and to kick things off Saturday the park invited its visitors to take the Polar Bear Plunge. It will be the second annual winter plunge at the park, and Park Manager II Jerad Martin said any age group of chill-seeker is welcome to rush into the cold waters of Lake Martin. Asked if he would be participating in the event Martin quickly responded, “No, no, no, that’s not for me.” And asked whether he took the plunge last year he said “Negative, I was more or less like a life guard.”
USPS Permit # 013-080
+
+ Buy
Here + Pay Here + + CLEAN USED CARS No Credit Checks
See VALENTINE • Page 3
Polar Bear Plunge at Wind Creek slated for Saturday
Low
Lake Martin
ery crunch. Susie Kelley of Grace’s Flowers in Alexander City said it has been busy as they prepare for the big day. “It has been good,” Kelley said. “Roses are still the most popular but they are getting more mixed flowers. The lady’s love the cut flowers. We are also seeing more stuffed animals.” According to a Gallup research poll, 23
Cars• Vans• Trucks • SUV’s
Midway Auto,Inc.
Off Hwy. 280 • Alexander City, AL (On Right Past the River Bridge)
256.825.9830
He said he along with other park rangers would be overseeing the event for the safety of those taking a dip, plunge or a full-fledged swim. And last year Martin said there were those that took a swim. “We had some that stayed in the lake for 10 to 15 minutes no problem,” said Martin. But he noted that despite an unseasonably warm air temperature, the water would be a much different experience. Martin said they had been “very lucky” on their first Polar Plunge with temperatures ranging around the mid 60’s to 70’s. At their first event Martin said File / The Outlook about 25 people walked or ran into the water, either taking a full plunge Participants in last year’s Polar Bear Plunge at Wind Creek race to brace See POLAR • Page 3 the cold waters of Lake Martin.
We Care About You and Your Loved Ones!
•Home-like Environment • Specialized Dementia Care Unit •Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy Services
Bill’s Electric ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS
P.O. Box 673 1814 Airpor t Blvd • Alexander Cit y, AL
A DAMS HEALTH & REHAB 1555 HILLABEE STREET • (256) 329-0847
(256) 234-4555 “PROVIDING QUAALITYY ELEECTRRICALL CONSSTRUUCTIIONN SINCE 196 61”