OPINION: BACKSEAT SEATBELT LAW MAKES SENSE , PAGE 4.
THURSDAY
THE COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
Inside, page 5
February 16, 2017 Vol. 125, No. 33 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
AG NAMES BROOKS TO HANDLE BENTLEY CASE
SPORTS, PAGE 10 Lady Tigers roaring into new season
DOWNTOWN ALEXANDER CITY
LIGHT ’EM UP
The former Montgomery DA will lead investigation to avoid any appearance of conflict of interest
STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
Alabama’s new attorney general has recused himself from a probe into Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley and has appointed a special prosecutor to lead the investigation. Alabama Attorney General Steven Marshall announced Tuesday that former Montgomery County District Attorney Ellen Brooks would serve as supernumerary district attorney leading the investigation to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest. Bentley has been battling allegations that he had an inappropriate relationship with former aide Rebekah Mason. Accusations have been made that Bentley used state resources to further an alleged affair. See INVESTIGATION • Page 3
Dadeville City Council talks Motts fire cleanup, road paving projects By MITCH SNEED Editor
The Mott’s Woodyard Fire is still burning in Dadeville and residents are complaining. At Tuesday’s council meeting, Council Member Betty Adams brought the subject up. “I am still getting complaints from the fire that is still smoldering,” Adams said. Mayor Wayne Smith said much has been done to clean up the area but the city will still stay on top of it. “They have cleaned up a lot of it,” Smith See DADEVILLE • Page 3
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
The new traffic signals that will regulate traffic at one of the main intersections in downtown Alexander City went live Wednesday afternoon.
Downtown decorative lights activated in final phases of Broad Street Streetscape project Stone Electric Company of Birmingham said the lights cleared inspection by the The intersection of Broad, Alabama Department of Green and Main Street has Transportation Wednesday been lit up. morning and that cleared the The new traffic signals way for them to be activated that will now regulate at about 2 p.m. traffic at one of the main “This is the last step for intersections in downtown us,” Brakefield said. “We Alexander City went live will be taking down the Wednesday, completing all old poles and some of the but the crossing arms in the remaining wires Thursday Broad Street Streetscape and then all that is left here Project. is the railroad crossing arms Brad Brakefield of See STREETSCAPE • Page 3 By MITCH SNEED Editor
Jacksons Gap council approves new budget, tables action on pay By MITCH SNEED Editor
Clowning around
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Center Ring Circus clown Jo Jo paints the faces of 4-year-old Sophia Barrett of Alexander City at Wednesday’s early show as the circus delighted crowds in Goodwater. For more imaged from Wednesday’s show, see page 9 inside today’s paper.
Today’s
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A budget has been approved in Jacksons Gap, after the council voted 4-1 Tuesday night to approve a spending plan that should get the city back in the black. While a copy of the budget was not made available, Mayor Jeff Walker said that the new budget would result in about $15,000 in profit barring any unforeseen expenses. “We took the numbers that we were given by Ms. Naler (accountant Dianne Naler) and added adjusted a few things that had changed,” Walker
said. “I know we should have had this a few months back, but I think these numbers are something we can work with.” Councilman Carl Pritchard was the lone vote against the measure, citing concerns and lack of detail on several. The budget as passed calls for revenues of $442,568 and expenses of $427,248. Last year, Jacksons Gap finished about $70,000 over budget and Walker said that overtime paid to two employees was the bulk of that overage. See JACKSONS GAP • Page 3
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