Feb. 2 2018 Alex City Outlook

SPORTS, PAGE 10

DESPITE CRITERIA, AVERAGE SCHOOL GRADES NOT GOOD ENOUGH

FRIDAY

THE

Wildcats, Cougars to Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892 settle rivalry February 2, 2018 Vol. 126, No. 24 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢ Tallapoosa County Narcotics Task Force honored as officers of year Members of the Tallapoosa County Narcotics Task Force Sgt. Fred White, right, Investigators Chad Jones, Luke Sively and Cliff Scott are joined

by Tallapoosa County Sheriff Jimmy Abbett and ACPD Asst.

Chief James Easterwood for a photograph after being awarded as Officers of the Year.

By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer

Day after day the Tallapoosa County Narcotics Task Force works to take drugs off the streets of the community.

Last year alone, the group of four full-time law enforcement officers worked over 600 cases. In the last three years they have cleared over 1,800 cases. The group’s tireless

Submitted / The Outlook

work was recognized Wednesday in Montgomery at a luncheon with Central Alabama CrimeStoppers as Officers of the Year.

“Each year CrimeStoppers recognizes the brave and selfless men and women of law enforcement who go above and beyond the call of duty to ensure the safety of the citizens of this state,” CrimeStoppers Executive See OFFICERS • Page 9

?

MAKING THE GRADE ‘D’ grade baffles BRHS students

By MITCH SNEED Editor

For school administrators and teachers to be defensive when it comes to Benjamin Russell High School receiving a ‘D’ on its Alabama State Report Card is understandable. They get paid to help students achieve and perform academically and it is their job to make sure an adequate education is available.

But when students who are in the classrooms and at the school every day are left scratching their heads over the news, it’s enough to make some take a second look at how the grade was reached.

According to the Alabama Department of Education, the grade reflects several different factors including academic achievement, academic growth, chronic absenteeism, as well as graduation rates and college and career readiness (for high schools). Overall Alexander City Schools received a 78 or C. Students at Benjamin Russell See STUDENTS • Page 3

Area school systems get average marksEducation on state report cards

“I just don’t know how you can measure all the good things happening here with a single test score.”

Report Card releases

according to the criteria is also a C. The grades were formulated as a result of a legislative directive requiring state schools to be scored bout average. According to school level with a letter grade in an effort grades released Thursday as a part of to give parents a quick snapshot the Alabama Department of Education’s Alabama State Report Card, that’s how Alexander of the school’s performance. The City and Tallapoosa County school systems stack factors considered and weighed in the grades included academic up. achievement, academic growth, Alexander City Schools as a system received chronic absenteeism, as well as a grade of 78, which equates to a C letter grade.

See GRADES • Page 3 Tallapoosa County Schools received a 75, which

By DONALD CAMPBELL AND MITCH SNEED Staff Writers

A

— Jaden Tuck BRHS senior Today’s

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The Alexander City Police Department, the Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Department and multiple other Alabama law enforcement agencies are investigating the sexual assault of a child and the distribution of a video related to the case over social media and other means.

See VIDEO • Page 9

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Internet child porn video leads to one local arrest

Donald Campbell / The Outlook

Mia Chandler from the Lake Martin Animal Shelter leads the 4-year-old dog Ella through an excited crowd of children Wednesday morning during story time at Mamie’s Place Children’s Library.

An excited crowd of children gathered at Mamie’s Place Children’s Library Wednesday morning for the weekly Budding Bookworms story time. Not only did the children get to listen to a few good books being read, but a special guest arrived to help the children read and enjoy their See DOG • Page 9

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Pregnant worker fears reprisal from ‘Boys Club’ management

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Directory Telephone: (256) 234-4281 Fax: (256) 234-6550 Website: www.alexcityoutlook.com Management Steve Baker Publisher, Ext. 218 steve.baker@alexcityoutlook.com Mitch Sneed Editor, Ext. 213 mitch.sneed@alexcityoutlook.com David Kendrick Circulation Manager, Ext. 204 david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook.com Lee Champion Production Manager, Ext. 220 lee.champion@alexcityoutlook.com Audra Spears Art Director, Ext. 219 audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com Betsy Iler Magazine Managing Editor, Ext. 221 betsy.iler@alexcityoutlook.com Tippy Hunter Advertising Director, Ext. 206 marketing@alexcityoutlook.com Angela Mullins Business Manager, Ext. 202 angela.mullins@alexcityoutlook.com Newsroom Amy Passaretti Assistant Magazine Editor, Ext. 227 amy.passaretti@alexcityoutlook.com Lizi Arbogast Sports Editor, Ext. 228 lizi.arbogast@alexcityoutlook.com

Cliff Williams Staff Writer, Ext. 212 cliff.williams@alexcityoutlook.com Donald Campbell Staff Writer, Ext. 208 donald.campbell@alexcityoutlook.com Santana Wood Staff Writer/Pagination, Ext. 210 santana.wood@alexcityoutlook.com Advertising Sales Doug Patterson Newspaper Advertising, Ext. 205 doug.patterson@alexcityoutlook.com Katie Wesson Retail Sales Manager, Ext. 232 tkatie.wesson@alexcityoutlook.com Scott Hardy Digital Marketing Coordinator, Ext. 208 scott.hardy@alexcityoutlook.com Rebecca Carlisle Advertising Sales, Ext. 217 rebecca.carlisle@alexcityoutlook.com Erin Burton Advertising Sales, Ext. 225 erin.burton@alexcityoutlook.com Composing Darlene Johnson Composing Department, Ext. 203 darlene.johnson@alexcityoutlook.com Hallie Holloway Composing Department, Ext. 203 hallie.holloway@alexcityoutlook.com Circulation Linda Ewing Office Clerk, Ext. 201 linda.ewing@alexcityoutlook.com

Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. manages The Alexander City Outlook, The Dadeville Record, Lake magazine, Lake Martin Living, (USPS: 013-080, ISSN: 0738-5110) Kenneth Boone The Outlook is published five times Photography and a week, Tuesday through Saturday a commercial web mornings, by Tallapoosa Publishers, printing press.

Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL, 35011.

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POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Post Office Box 999, Alexander City, AL 35011.

How to Submit Obituaries

© 2011 Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. Reproduction of any part of any issue requires written publisher permission.

Obituaries can be submitted to The Outlook from funeral homes by e-mail at obits@alexcityoutlook.com or by fax at (256) 234-6550. For more information, call (256) 234-4281.

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on’t you just love eating those fresh picked ripe peaches, apples, pears, strawberries, and grapes? Having a home orchard with lots of fruit trees and eating fresh, home-grown fruit in the summer is a dream for many people. However, wanting a home orchard and having a home orchard is two different things. It can be a wonderful thing if managed right or it can turn into a nightmare if done wrong.

Much of the success or failure of having a home orchard lies primarily on your first decision - the variety of the fruits chosen.

Simply going out and buying just any type of fruit tree from just any source is easy enough and sounds like a good idea, right? Wrong.

Doing just that and not doing your homework can result in a very bad investment.

Before you select a fruit tree and take it home and plant it, find out what varieties of fruit trees and small fruits grow best in our area. The truth is that it is very difficult to grow most of those types of fruits you see in the grocery store. Alabama

• Alexander City Board of Education meets on the third Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held in the board office at 375 Lee St. or local school at 5 p.m.

• Alexander City Council meets on the first and third Mondays of each month.

Meetings are held in the courtroom at the old city hall at 5:30 p.m.

• Camp Hill Town Council meets the first and third Mondays of each month.

Meetings are held in town hall at 6 p.m.

• Community Action Agency of Chambers, Tallapoosa, Coosa will holds its regular board of directors meetings every other month at the Central Office in Dadeville.

• Coosa County Board of Education holds called meetings at least once a month.

• Coosa County Commission meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. Meetings

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Be sure to include what your co-worker told you happened to her, and how -- after your miscarriage -- all your problems at the office disappeared. Then schedule an

DEAR FEELS UGLY: It appears that although your marriage is ongoing, your husband is still punishing you for your “sins” and has enlisted the help of your sons in doing it. I urge you to look into family counseling for all of you.

The environment in which your boys are growing up is unhealthy because they are being encouraged to disrespect women. If it’s allowed to continue, they will have relationships and marriages just like your own -- ugly and contentious. If you won’t seek counseling for yourself, please do it for them.

DEAR ABBY: I have cheated, lied and more. I have made a lot of changes in my life for the better since then, but we all know I’m still a sinner. I have gained a lot of weight over the years, and I hear about it often from my husband and two boys, mostly my sons. My boys are rude and disrespectful to me, and my husband says nothing. They make me feel ugly and worthless.

I know I haven’t been the best wife or mother. I thought I was doing better, but I guess not. I’m tired of the name-calling and disrespect.

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appointment with an attorney to ask how you can protect yourself in the months to come.

Kieffer, or Moonglow (soft). AU Producer, SHANE AU Roadside, and AU Cherry are great varieties HARRIS of plums.

Extension You won’t go wrong Service with varieties of figs like Brown Turkey, climate conditions of Celeste, Alma, LSU hot and dry summers Gold, and LSU Purple. and mild winters just Our traditional blueberry won’t let you have that varieties are Tifblue, perfect orchard full of Premier, Brightwell, fabulous fruit. That is and Climax but some why other states are new ones worth planting known for growing are Alapaha, Vernon, certain fruits. Peaches and Yadkin. Cardinal, tend to grow better in Earliglow, and Chandler Georgia, oranges do well are a few suggested in Florida, apples are types of strawberries. perfect in Washington, Navaho, Kiowa, and everything grows Ouachita, Arapaho, and well in California. But Apache are examples of don’t worry, fruit can be blackberries that will do grown in Alabama and great. If you like grapes, be grown successfully. go with muscadines such You just have to know as Ison, Pam, Darlene, which varieties will Fry, Black Beauty, and work in Alabama.

Supreme since they will If you want to grow do much better than apples, then try these bunch grapes. varieties: Gala, Fuji, Also keep in mind Rome, Gingergold, where you purchase your Jonagold, Cumberland fruit trees and small Spur, and Granny Smith. fruit crops. Always buy There are hundreds of from a local reputable commercial varieties of nursey, garden center, or peaches, but gardeners specialty catalog source. might wish to try Many of the variety Redhaven, Sweethaven, choices shipped in and Cresthaven, Fireprince, sold by retail stores do Contender, Georgia not grow or do well in Belle, Jefferson, and Alabama. Nor are they Redskin. If you like usually labeled and pears, then you might named properly; you will want to try Orient, have no idea what you

are getting or what size it will be.

Regardless of what fruits you like to eat and are considering growing, pay close attention to the maintenance requirements. Having a home orchard is not a simple and easy task and can be very laborsome and time consuming.

Almost all fruit plants take 3-5 years to get established before they begin producing their first crops. Many fruit trees like apples and peaches, require a strict and weekly spray program to prevent diseases and insect pests.

Almost all require yearly pruning and training, especially muscadine vines. And if all goes well, you still have to keep the deer, squirrels, and crows at bay from eating the precious harvest before you do.

For a complete list of varieties of all fruit that will grow well in Alabama, as well as other questions, contact the Tallapoosa County Extension office at 825-1050 or visit us online at www.aces.edu/ Tallapoosa.

Tuesday of each month.

Meetings are held at the Caldwell Center at 6:30 p.m.

• Jackson’s Gap Town Council meets the second Tuesday of each month.

Meetings are held in town hall at 6:30 p.m., all Jackson’s Gap citizens are encouraged to attend.

• Kellyton Town Council meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at the community center in Kellyton.

• New Site City Council meets the first and third Monday of the month at 5 p.m. in the Conference Room in the Town Hall.

• Ray Water Authority meets on the second Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m. at the Ray Water Authority Office.

All customers are invited to attend.

• Rockford Town Council meets the second Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held in town hall at 7 p.m.

• Tallapoosa County Board of Education meets on the second Monday of each month. Meetings are held in the new central office at 679 East Columbus Street, Dadeville, AL 36853.

• Tallapoosa County Commission meets the second Monday of the month at 9 a.m. in the courthouse in Dadeville, with a pre-meeting also open to the public 30 minutes before each regular session.

• Tallapoosa County 911 Board will meet on the second Wednesday of each month at 5 p.m. in the 911 Administrative office at 240 West Columbus Street, Dadeville. Call 825-8490 for more information.

• Walnut Hill Water Authority meets the third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m.

The public is invited. Call 825-9841 to inquire about the agenda.

Shane Harris is the County Extension Coordinator for Tallapoosa County.

Public Meetings

from the crowd?

• • • • •

Friday, February 2, 2018

The Outlook

are held in the Coosa County Courthouse in Rockford at 9:30 a.m. on the second Tuesday and at 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday.

• Coosa County Industrial Development Board will hold its regularly scheduled meeting the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Board Room in the courthouse in Rockford. All meetings are open to the public.

• Dadeville City Council meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. with a premeeting at 5:30 p.m. in city hall.

• Daviston City Council meets the third Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at the Daviston Fire Department.

• Goldville Town Council meets the second Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the town hall.

• Goodwater City Council meets on the second

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Alexander City Outlook Dadeville Record Wetumpka Herald Eclectic Observer Tallassee Tribune

Friday, February 2, 2018

Students

Grades

said they simply don’t know how anyone could honestly think the school deserves a D. Benjamin Russell High School senior Jaden Tuck was shocked when he heard the school got a D on its report card.

“It was very surprising,” Tuck said. “We are here every day and see things that most people don’t see and experience the programs and atmosphere on a daily basis. I just don’t know how you can measure all the good things happening here with a single test score. I feel like if you could bring all the people responsible for developing this assessment to Benjamin Russell and let them see for themselves, the grade would be much, much higher.”

Adeline Treadwell said that scores and grades are not good indicators of the growth that is coming from new programs and initiatives that have been put in place over the last four years at Benjamin Russell.

“Especially when you look at all the programs that have been put in place since Dr. Wilkinson arrived, this kind of score is very surprising,” Treadwell said. “Programs like Open Door Wednesday encourage and require students to show what they have mastered. Every student has to develop and present a digital portfolio and we have student reps. These are programs that help students develop and prepare for the next level and develop interview skills and become comfortable publicly speaking.

“It’s amazing how much that helps you later in life, but I don’t think any of that was taken into consideration for this grade. I know the kind of education I’m getting and what is available at Benjamin Russell and a ‘D’ isn’t indicative of what I see and know.”

Tuck said he hopes that this is just a one-time thing and that officials will reconsider how they arrive at the grades in the future.

“You want to know how you are doing, but to use just the ACT Aspire to get the grade, they need to consider much more than that,” Tuck said. “Looking at the total picture is the only way that you can get an accurate picture of the quality of education a student is getting here at Benjamin Russell.

I hope they consider other ways to measure all of what we are taught in the future.”

graduation rates and college and career readiness at the high school level.

Alexander City Schools Superintendent Dr. Darrell Cooper and Tallapoosa County’s Dr. Joe Windle both said the way the scores and the criteria were developed made it tough for schools to prepare.

Cooper wasn’t convinced the factors used to formulate the letter grade provide an accurate picture of the academic achievement of the system’s students, but he does see items the system can improve to better serve its students. Cooper cited that the main source of data was student scores on the ACT Aspire tests, which have already been thrown out by the state as not fitting with the state’s curriculum and academic goals.

“We are not satisfied with being average,” Cooper said. “Our district score was a ‘78-C’ on the report card, which was the same as the State’s report card and the average for schools throughout Alabama. Although the Alabama State Report Card was limited in factors considered for assignment of grades, we still have higher expectations than our results.

“We are committed to using the data from the Alabama State Report Card in a productive manner for improvement in our schools. With that said, we do have many concerns with the current Alabama State School Report Card system and look forward to the possibility of future report cards to include additional factors that show a broader picture of academic performance in our schools.”

Windle said while the Tallapoosa County Schools want to be accountable, he hopes that this prototype evolves quickly and includes more measures that give a better picture of true academic progress.

“We recognize the need for an accountability system that holds us accountable for preparing our students for college, career, graduation rates, citizenship and other success measures,” Windle said. “However, we are opposed to a report card that grades schools and systems almost entirely on a test given once a year and whose reliability is questionable.”

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The Outlook

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Cooper said he didn’t want to make excuses or downplay the importance of the grades. He applauded the system’s indicator scores in the area of Academic Growth. He singled out Radney’s 82 or B letter grade as a high-water mark. But Cooper said he didn’t fully understand how Benjamin Russell ended up with a 69 or a D. “Over the past several years, school officials were told that school report cards would use multi-measures to provide a wide snapshot of all efforts by school districts. To make sure reports were fair and equitable, it was suggested that levels for funding, poverty and special populations be reported for each school and school district. None of these were reported or accounted for in the current Alabama State Report Card. That’s unfortunate.”

Cooper listed several things that illustrate significant progress at Benjamin Russell: • Over the past five years, the graduation rate for BRHS has grown from 77 percent to an alltime high of 90 percent.

• For the past two graduating classes, scholarship totals have surpassed the $5 million mark which are record highs.

• ACT scores in all subtests have trended upward over the past four years.

• The percentage of students meeting proficiency marks in all four subject areas of the ACT has improved considerably.

• The number of students participating in dual enrollment courses has increased significantly.

• Career and Technical Education offerings, student participation, and associated certifications/credentialing have increased significantly over the past four years.

• In the past three years, student participation in cooperative work experiences has increased from 15 students to more than 100.

• In September 2017, BRHS was recognized as one of the Top 15 Standout Alabama High Schools.

Factors such as the percentage of economically disadvantaged students, ACT scores and college attendance rates were the main factors used in this ranking.

Like Cooper, Windle felt there

were many positive things to point to in the city and county systems.

The latest data from the county schools show that, across the system, 196 students take classes at the Edward Bell Career Tech Center in Camp Hill, 753 take advanced classes, 138 are in AP courses and 49 are dual enrollment students through Central Alabama Community College. The county schools also offer a multitude of engagement opportunities, including FFA, Beta Club, 4-H and FCCLA, of which the Horseshoe Bend club regularly has projects competing at the national level.

“We are making progress, but we realize there is work to be done,” Windle said. “We are blessed with many amazing teachers and staff who work hard to prepare our students for life after graduation. We are blessed with supporting communities who are involved with helping ensure that our students are wellrounded citizens when they leave our schools. Together, we will continue on the path to make our school system worthy of the children we serve.”

Across the state, scores varied widely, with only nine schools receiving a 100 on their report card: Montana Street Magnet School in the Dothan City system, the Alabama School of Math and Science in Mobile County, Forest Avenue Elementary School and the Loveless Academic Magnet School in Montgomery County, Cherokee Bend Elementary and Mountain Brook Elementary in Mountain Brook, Rock Quarry Elementary and Tuscaloosa Magnet Middle School in Tuscaloosa City and East Elementary in the Vestavia Hills system, and the lowest score being a 37 at George Washington Carver Elementary School in the Macon County system.

By virtue of the state’s data Benjamin Russell finds itself sitting just a notch above schools recently named to the latest “failing schools” list by the Alabama Department of Education, including Notasulga High School (68), Lanett Senior High School (67), Anniston High School (66), Paul W. Bryant High School (65) and Central High School in Tuscaloosa (68). At the same time,

by having the highest high school score in the county, Reeltown finds itself in the company of Oxford High School (79), Grissom High School (77) and Fayette County High School (79), not far behind Hoover High School (80) and Wetumpka High School (81).

Alabama Educators Association President Sherry Tucker echoed many of the same sentiments that the local superintendents shared.

“The success of our children cannot be defined by a letter grade.

A report card with a letter grade is one of only multiple measures used to communicate how our schools are doing,” Tucker said in a press release. “There are great things happening every day in all Alabama schools and we cannot let these test scores lessen the progress, innovation and successes that are present each and every day in our community schools. This state report card is just a prototype – there is still time to improve our standards – and AEA will continue to be at the forefront fighting for Alabama school children and the resources all of our schools need to be successful.”

Cooper said he still hopes that something good comes from these grades, even if officials don’t fully agree with the methodology.

“We hope to use it to have good conversations and develop strategies to address the areas of concern,” Cooper said. “But overall, we hope that when these are digested, that during the comment and feedback period information will be shared and considered to come up with a better way to consider everything that we do to educate our students and prepare them for life.”

According to a information released with the grades, this initial report is meant to be a work in progress.

“How local schools and school systems react to these report cards will be telling about the future of education in Alabama. If report cards as viewed as a tool that causes educators, board members, parents and the community at large to meet, assess, and outline a pathway for improvement, then public education in Alabama has a brighter future,” Alabama Interim State Superintendent Dr. Ed Richardson said.

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Opinion

MITCH SNEED EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X213

editor@alexcityoutlook.com

EDITORIAL BOARD Steve Baker Mitch Sneed

Page 4

Outlook

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Opinion

Our View

Despite faulty criteria, average school grades not good enough

T

he Alabama Department of Education released its long awaited school report card numbers Thursday, detailing how elementary, middle, and high school students across the state have been performing on their state assessment exams in the spring.

But don’t expect any celebrations around here. There won’t likely be any gold stars or ice cream parties based on these grades. Alexander City Schools as a system received a grade of 78, which equates to a C letter grade. Tallapoosa County Schools received a 75, which according to the criteria is also a C. Overall, the scores were right at state average.

The best local score was Radney with an 82 and the worst was Benjamin Russell with a 69 or a D. The factors considered and weighed in the grades included academic achievement, academic growth, chronic absenteeism, as well as graduation rates and college and career readiness for high schools.

Regardless of who you talk to, no one believes that the criteria used to determine these grades allowed for an accurate snapshot of how well any school is doing.

The truth is that state school officials were under the gun and under legislative directive and had to put grades out or be in violation of the law.

They tried to make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear and we all know how that turned out.

Alabama has had four state superintendents in a little over two years. Those changes in leadership, the wasted year under former State Superintendent Michael Sentence and a lack of communication about how the grades would be calculated have not been fair to any school and the ones here especially. It’s kind of hard to reach the desired finish line when you are changing directions needlessly.

Many school systems spent weeks compiling information on extracurricular activities by their students, only to see that not considered.

The criteria used didn’t take any scores or data by students above the 10th grade. So how can you determine how a school is doing if you didn’t give students who have been through the entire cycle a chance to have their knowledge and progress graded? You really can’t.

While we may not agree with the method, we are encouraged that our local school leaders are determined to use this data the best they can to identify areas of need and work to get better.

There is something else that we agree with our superintendents on: Average isn’t good enough for our schools.

Caring requires a loving effort

A

s a minister I have visited a lot of hospitals and I found this a rewarding experience.

However, I think we all agree that those big medical centers can be a little intimidating.

When you have to visit someone in one of those facilities it’s like going through a maze. It seems that no matter how closely you listen to the instructions they never quite fit the layout of the building.

Recently, this became even clearer to me as I was trying to find a room at the University Hospital in Birmingham. This complex covers several square blocks, has all kinds of passageways, multi-banks of elevators and receptionists that give instructions like they think you grew up in the building.

This facility is a city unto itself and a person could spend a couple of days just walking around looking for the front door.

After receiving my directions I set out from the first floor with determination to find the fifth floor, west wing, intermediate care waiting room. I think I would have found it right off the bat, except for the construction rerouting the traffic flow.

I had to get off on the sixth floor, walk over two buildings, catch an elevator to the fourth floor, and then walk

Communication with elected officials is the key to good government. To let your most local representatives know how you feel about state or local matters, contact any of the following.

Governor Kay Ivey represents the state of Alabama and its 67 counties. She was sworn into office on April 10, 2017, and can be reached at 334242-7100. Her office is located at the State Capitol at 600 Dexter Avenue, Montgomery, Alabama.

Kay Ivey

Mark Tuggle (R) represents the 81st District covering Coosa, Chilton and Tallapoosa counties. He can be reached by phone at 256-392-2006 or by email at tughd81@gmail.com.

His office is located at 110 Calhoun Street, Suite 108, Alexander City.

Mark Tuggle

Tom Whatley represents the 27th District covering Lee, Russell and Tallapoosa County. He was elected to the Alabama Senate on Nov. 2, 2010, and can be reached at 334-242-7865.

His office is located at 337 East Magnolia Drive, Auburn.

Tom Whatley

Clyde Chambliss Jr. represents Senate District 30, which includes portions of Elmore, Autauga, Chilton, Coosa and Tallapoosa counties.

He can be reached at 334-343-7883 or at clyde. chambliss@alsenate.gov

Clyde Chambliss

GERALD HALLMARK Columnist up a flight of stairs, and back over two buildings.

The first indication that I was lost was when I walked into the OB-GYN section. It didn’t take me but a minute to retreat from this forbidden zone. There was nurse there that looked like a lady wrestler having a bad day, plus I knew deep in my heart I had no business there!

The second clue that I was lost was when I wandered into a broom closet on the second floor. This wasn’t the most dignified thing I had ever done, but I met a nice fellow that wandered in behind me. It seems that he too was lost, so I acted like I was suppose to be there, made a few comments about keeping things cleaner, gave him a look like only an idiot would get lost in a broom closet, and then left.

Late that afternoon I finally found the fifth floor and just an hour later I found the waiting room. Of course, by the time I found it no one was there. The surgery was over, the man was assigned a room and everyone had gone to this newly assigned room.

What that meant was I had to go to the receptionist and ask for new directions on how to get to this man’s room. So, I did the only thing I could do as a caring, loving brother in Christ. I just gave up and found the lobby, called them on the phone and told them I was praying for them and would see them when they got home.

No one enjoys being in the hospital, but everyone wants to know that they are being prayed for and remembered by their church family.

There are so many times those prayers lists are read aloud, but no thought is given to the ones on the list. Jesus said when we did something unto the least of His people we did it unto Him. The ministry of encouragement is one of the greatest things we can do as believers.

The good thing about visiting in Russell Medical Center is that these folks are friends and neighbors. When they find me lost in a broom closet they just shake their head, figure it’s that poor old Baptist preacher and point me in the right direction.

Dr. Gerald Hallmark is a retired Alexander City minister currently serving as interim pastor at First Baptist Church of Dadeville.

His column appears here each Friday.

Friday, February 2, 2018

Today’s

Quote

“I never said it would be easy, I only said it would be worth it.”

—Mae West

Today’s

Scripture “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”

—Deuteronomy 6:4-5

alexcityoutlook.com

Daily Poll Thursday Question: Did you witness the Super Blue Blood Moon Wednesday morning?

No — 70%, 21 votes Yes — 30%, 9 votes

Friday’s Question: Are you rooting for the New England Patriots or Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl?

To participate in this daily poll, log on each day to www. alexcityoutlook.com and vote.

Find out the vote totals in the next edition of The Outlook and see if your vote swayed the results.

Our

Mission

The Outlook strives to report the news honestly, fairly and with integrity, to take a leadership role and act as a positive influence in our community, to promote business, to provide for the welfare of our employees, to strive for excellence in everything we do and above all, to treat others as we would want to be treated ourselves.

How to

Subscribe

The subscription rate is $136.00 per year in Tallapoosa and Coosa counties and $177.99 outside the area. Periodicals paid at Alexander City, AL. Newspapers are available at 100 news racks in our area at 75 cents for The Outlook and 50 cents for The Record. We would love to deliver a paper to your door. Call David Kendrick at 256-234-4281, Ext. 204 or e-mail david.kendrick@alexcityoutlook. com.

Know Your

Officials

The

F

Behind locked bars

rom time to time, I visit people in jail.

Sometimes I know people well who have wound up on the other side of the law. Other times, I do not have a personal connection with the inmate but am visiting because of a request from a friend.

Jails and prisons are all a little different. Some facilities allow me to be in the same room as the prisoner, but most times I am talking to the inmate through a glass.

Visiting prisoners has been a part of my life for 35 years.

When I visit an inmate, I try to share hope with them. I don’t get caught up in what they’ve done to put them there. I try to let them know life doesn’t have to be over for them. I want them to know on the other side of failure and bad choices there is opportunity for growth.

They might be facing longterm consequences, but their life can matter.

Early this week I went to visit two women I did not know who were both locked up in the same county detention center. After being cleared at the front desk, I was escorted by a policeman into the bowels of the jail

RAY WATERS Columnist

cases, it might be another nine months before she has a trial. While drunk, she had injured her partner in a fight.

She was 28 years old. She blamed much of her problems on her drinking. She has sobered up in jail and is happy about her sobriety.

I told her the same thing I had said to the other woman, “Life isn’t over. You can start making good choices right now, and you will be amazed at what can happen, and the change can come more quickly than you can imagine.” She listened and seemed very happy about my visit. I prayed for her, and she was escorted back to her cell.

Both young ladies touched my heart. They are not wicked people. They just made some bad choices and are now paying a big price for their mistakes. I sat for a minute alone in the concrete room thinking to myself.

Jesus was pretty clear about the importance of visiting prisoners. Maybe He knew prisoners always need a little hope.

where I walked down several long pathways until I finally was left in a small visiting room.

The first lady arrived handcuffed being led by a guard. I introduced myself, and we spent 30 minutes talking. She was 26 years old and had a four-year-old son. She told me she became friends with a group of people who were not good for her, and was under the influence of drugs and had made some bad decisions. She had been running from the authorities for a few months before they finally caught her as she was leaving her dad’s where she had gone to visit her son.

She had been in jail for a few months. I encouraged her and said a prayer for her and then she headed back to her cell.

After a few minutes, the other handcuffed lady arrived escorted by a guard. Sadly Ray Waters is a minister, she had already been in jail motivational speaker and several months, and because regular columnist for The of the backlog of pending Outlook.

What’s your

Opinion?

We’d like to share your thoughts and opinions with the greater Lake Martin community. It’s free and it only takes a few moments of your time. We have two ways to get your opinion in print: letters to the editor and guest columns. The main difference is length. Letters to the editor are up to 250 words, while guest columns can be up to 500 words. Letters and columns may be sent to P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL 35011, faxed to (256) 234-6550 or e-mailed to editor@ alexcityoutlook.com. Please include your name, address and phone number. Send us your thoughts today!

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On the Web

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You can also subscribe to our RSS (Rich Site Summary) feed on the Outlook’s home page. Check it out today.

Friday, February 2, 2018

The Outlook

CommunityCalendar Need Insurance?

Call me.

Today is February 2, 2018 Today’s Events

CHURCH REVIVAL: God’s House of Prayer Holiness Church is hosting the Debt Cancellation Revival Feb. 2.

Financial classes will be at 6 p.m. at the church at 573 Harper Avenue.

Musical guests include Lemmie Battles, Paul Porter and Bishop Jason Nelson.

For more information contact Bishop

Frank McCleod at 334-740-0294.

FEAST OF SHARING: St. James Episcopal Church will hold its Mardi Gras Auction at the church located at 347 South Central Avenue in Alexander City. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and will feature live and silent auctions, raffles, wine/beer/non-alcoholic beverages, hors d’oeuvres, desserts and entertainment.

Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. For information, please contact Denise Graves 205-826-4066.

For tickets, please contact St. James Episcopal Church at 256-234-4752.

All proceeds benefit Feast of

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Submit calendar items:

Participate in your Outlook by calling 256-234-4281, faxing them to 256-234-6550, sending your event to calendar@alexcityoutlook.com or logging on to http://www.alexcityoutlook.com/.

Sharing, a ministry of St. James and First United Methodist Church, that provides a free meal twice a week to hungry people in the area.

Today’s Birthdays

Dot Caldwell, Shantay Harry, Erica Hutcherson, Doris Owens and Will Meadows are celebrating their birthdays today.

Today’s Anniversaries

James and Viola Beeker, Modesta and Burnon Gravette and Dr. and Mrs. Runas Powers celebrate their anniversaries today.

–Since 1978–

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Brown Nursing and Rehabilitation Rehabilitation Services •Physical Therapy •Occupational Therapy •Speech Therapy 2334 Washington Street Alexander City • 256-329-9061 www.crownemanagement.com

Come Visit Us! Cecily Lee, Administrator Angela Pitts, Director of Nursing

Cliff Williams / The Outlook

There is smoke in the air around Wind Creek State Park as park staff are setting prescribed burns to help with leaves and pine straw on the forest floor. The burns will occur as weather allows over the next few days.

Saturday, February 3

BOSTON BUTT FUNDRAISER: The Meals on Wheels organization is having a Boston Butt fundraiser. It is selling tickets for a Feb. 3 delivery of a Firetruck Boston butt at the Meals on Wheels office at Russell Medical or by calling 256-329-7382. Tickets are $35.

BOOK SALE: The Friends of the Dadeville Public Library will host a book sale on the lower level of the Dadeville Library Saturday, Feb. 3 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fill a grocery bag for $5 or three bags for just $15.

Sunday, February 4

PASTOR’S ANNIVERSARY: New Harmony Missionary Baptist Church in Camp Hill is hosting the 9th Pastor’s Anniversary honoring Rev. and Sis. Melvin C. Kelley, Jr. Sunday, Feb. 4 at 2 p.m. The guest minister will be Rev. Ira Moss, pastor of New Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Tuskegee.

Monday, February 5

HORIZONS UNLIMITED: Glenn Wills will present “Forgotten Alabama” to Horizons Unlimited Monday, Feb. 5 starting at 1:30 p.m. at the Alexander City Board of Education.

Horizons Unlimited membership is $20 per person or $30 per couple.

Registration for winter quarter began Jan. 8.

Tuesday, February 6

Need your business to

STAND OUT

CHARITY BINGO: Niffer’s will be hosting charity bingo on Tuesdays in February to benefit the Lake Martin Area United Way. Cards are $1 each.

The first seven rounds are for Niffer’s dollars and the final round is for the jackpot. Niffer’s is located at 7500 Highway 49 South in Dadeville.

from the crowd?

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• • • • •

Alexander City Outlook Dadeville Record Wetumpka Herald Eclectic Observer Tallassee Tribune

dB

Lawn Care Darrell Brooks, Owner Cutting •Edging Weed Eating •Mulch Weed Control

Wednesday, February 7

SITE REVIEW: Central Alabama Community College will host a site review for continuing accreditation of its Associate Degree in Nursing program by the ACEN on Feb. 7 at 3 p.m. in Building J of the Childersburg Campus. For further information, go to the CACC homepage at www.cacc. edu.

ENGLISH LEARNER’S CLUB: The Adelia M. Russell Library is hosting the English Learner’s Club starting Wednesday, Feb. 7 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Registration starts Jan. 3.

The club will help speakers of other languages learn, develop and improve English skills, learn American slang, idioms and other useful phrases and work on fluency activities and interview questions.

For questions and information, call 256-329-6796 or visit the Adelia M. Russell Library.

MONTHLY LUNCHEON: Bibb Graves High School Alumni and Friends in Millerville will host its monthly luncheon Wednesday, Feb. 7 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Please bring a covered dish and a small donation.

Friday, February 9

256.267.0518

VALENTINES CELEBRATION: The Equality Performing Arts Center

is hosting a Royal Valentine’s Celebration Friday, Feb. 9 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Six past state pageant winners and the reigning Ms. Alabama Sr. America will perform popular love songs, a romantic aria and tap dance.

The EPAC is located on Alabama Highway 9 in Equality.

Saturday, February 10

REUNION MEETING: The Laurel High School Class of 1969 is holding an organizational meeting Feb. 10 at 10 a.m. at the Cooper Recreation Center.

Sunday, February 11

VALENTINE LUNCHEON: Mt. Zion Baptist Church on Highway 63 South is hosting a valentine luncheon Feb. 11 at 11 a.m. There will be a photographer on site.

GOSPEL SINGING: Victory Baptist Church on South Road in Alexander City will host The Warrens Feb. 11 at 6 p.m.

EVANGELIST: Passion Church on Highway 63 North is hosting Evangelist Danny Johnston Feb. 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. Everyone is welcome.

Monday, February 12

HORIZONS UNLIMITED: Peggy Shores will present “Songs from the Heart” to Horizons Unlimited Monday, Feb. 12 starting at 1:30 p.m. at the Alexander City Board of Education.

Horizons Unlimited membership is $20 per person or $30 per couple.

Registration for winter quarter began Jan. 8.

Friday, February 16

PAGEANT: God’s Beautiful Creations Pageant will be Friday, Feb. 16 at 6 p.m. at Sardis Missionary Baptist Church in Dadeville in the Fellowship Hall. The event is sponsored by the music ministry. There will be five categories and all ages are welcome to participate.

There will also be an Outstanding Couple category. To participate, please contact any of the Sardis Missionary Baptist Church choir members.

Saturday, February 17

PANCAKE BREAKFAST: The Dadeville Kiwanis Club will be holding its annual pancake breakfast on Saturday, Feb. 17 from 7 until 11 a.m. at the Dadeville Elementary School Cafeteria. Tickets are $6 per person and include all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage, ham, coffee, juice and milk.

For tickets, see any member of the Dadeville Kiwanis Club, or contact Tony Johnson at 256-825-6364 or Peggy Bullard at 256-825-9415.

Sunday, February 18

GOSPEL SINGING: The Kempters will be in concert at Hillabee Baptist Church Sunday, Feb. 18 at 6 p.m.

Everyone is welcome.

Thursday, February 22

SENIORX: Deborah Jones of SenioRx will be at the Alexander City Chamber Thursday, Feb. 22 from 9:30

a.m. to 1:30 p.m. to help seniors determine if they are eligible for assistance with diabetic supplies, liquid supplements and medications.

This is sponsored by the East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission (Area Agency on Aging).

For more information, contact Jones at 1-800-361-1636 or 256-761-3575.

Saturday, February 24

PANCAKE BREAKFAST: There will be a pancake breakfast on Saturday, Feb. 24 at Faith Temple Church Gym at 425 Franklin Street from 6 to 11 a.m. Tickets are $6 for all-you-can-eat pancakes in house and sausage, juice and coffee. Carry out is also available.

This is a fundraiser for the Faith Christian Academy’s Robotics team, which will compete in the National WWII Museum’s Robotics Challenge in New Orleans in May. Tickets are available from FCA students and at the door.

Monday, February 26

HORIZONS UNLIMITED: Dr. James Hansen will present “Neil Armstrong” to Horizons Unlimited Monday, Feb. 26 starting at 1:30 p.m. at the Alexander City Board of Education.

Horizons Unlimited membership is $20 per person or $30 per couple.

Registration for winter quarter began Jan. 8.

The Learning Tree Helping Children Learn and Grow

The Learning Tree, Inc. is Accepting Applications for 2nd, 3rd, and Weekend Shifts for Direct Care.

Applications can be picked up at: 101 S. Dubois Street Tallassee, AL 36078 Or contact Brinda Bell (334) 252-0025, Ext. 101 Email: bbell@learning-tree.org

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Tony Guy, Owner Over 40 Years Experience

Sunday, March 4

PASTOR ANNIVERSARY: New Style Baptist Church on Coosa County Road 20 in Equality is celebrating Pastor Richard Ellis Taylor’s third anniversary Sunday, March 4. Rev. Yeasive Ware of Opelika is the featured speaker at 11 a.m. and Pastor Johnny Smith of Jackson, Mississippi is the featured speaker at 2 p.m.

Saturday, March 10

PANCAKE BREAKFAST: The Alexander City Kiwanis Club is hosting a pancake and Conecuh sausage breakfast March 10 from 6 to 10 a.m. at the Benjamin Russell High School Cafeteria. Tickets are $6 and include all you can eat. Carry out is also available.

Wednesday, March 29

VIETNAM VETERANS WELCOME HOME: The Auburn Veterans Project is celebrating and reflecting on the service and sacrifice of Vietnam veterans March 29 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Auburn High School Auditorium.

Speakers will be Joe Galloway and Medal of Honor recipients Bennie Adkins and James Livingston. Family is welcome to accompany their veteran and there will be a light reception afterwards.

Visit auburnveteransproect. weebly.com/east-alabama-vietnamveterans-welcome-home-cermony. html. Attendees are asked to RSVP in advance by either emailing Blake Busbin at wbbusbin@auburnschools. org or by calling Auburn High School at 334-887-2120.

H&A Installation, Charge Outs and Repair Sheet Metal Work

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The Outlook

Friday, February 2, 2018

Friday, February 2, 2018

The Outlook

www.alexcityoutlook.com

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The Outlook

Friday, February 2, 2018

Friday, February 2, 2018

The Outlook

Officers

Dog

Director Tony Garrett said in a statement.

Sgt. Fred White heads up the group and is thankful others are taking note.

“We appreciate the recognition,” White said. “We just try to do the best job we can for the citizens of Tallapoosa County.”

Sheriff Jimmy Abbett is proud of the efforts of the task force not only for taking drugs off the streets, but for the other crimes it is able to prevent.

“We are trying to eliminate drug abuse,” Abbett said. “About 80 percent of crimes are related to substance abuse.”

Abbett explained users will often turn to property crimes like burglaries and thefts to feed their drug habits and the task force is able to help with those crimes too.

Abbett said the task force in Tallapoosa County has been around since 1995 and is made up of officers from several Tallapoosa County agencies.

“The Tallassee, Dadeville, Jacksons Gap, Camp Hill, New Site and Alexander City police departments, the Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Department and the district attorney’s office are part of it,” Abbett said. “There are only four full-time officers, two from the sheriff’s department and two from Alexander City but any of the agencies can contribute.”

Abbett said the other departments take part by sharing information and by turning drug cases over to the task force to allow it to follow the case all the way through to court.

Abbett said the group also uses CrimeStoppers to help make cases.

“We send them videos of crimes in progress and photographs of individuals we are looking for,” Abbett said. “We are able to use their secret witness hotline to get tips on cases.”

The officers assigned to the Tallapoosa County Narcotics Task Force are Sgt. White and investigators Chad Jones, Luke Sively and Cliff Scott.

White hopes the Tallapoosa County Narcotics Task Force continues to be as successful in the future.

“We want to continue to take drugs and dealers off the street,” White said. “We hope to stay on point making good cases protecting the citizens of Tallapoosa County.”

morning. Mia Chandler from the Lake Martin Animal Shelter was there, along with Ella, a four-year-old dog at the shelter.

The morning began with the book “Bow Wow Wiggle Waggle,” where various animals made their respective noises as they enjoy a fun-filled day playing, followed by the book “Do Your Ears Hang Low?” Following the second book, the children were able to get up and dance to the song “Do Your Ears Hang Low?” as well as “The Wheels on the Bus,” moving around and making the various motions to go with the words.

After singing and dancing to the two songs and playing a rousing round of Library Limbo, Chandler and Ella arrived to add more excitement to the weekly activities.

“I always accept invitations when I have the chance to do something like this,” Chandler said.

“Having the ability to talk to kids is a great opportunity and a chance to positively influence them to think positively of animals.”

After Chandler read a book about things people can learn from dogs to the gathered children, they were allowed to come up one at a time to pet Ella for a moment.

The young readers were thrilled to spend time with Ella, and she enjoyed the attention she was receiving, wagging her short tail and happily licking the hands of many of the children petting her.

“When doing events like this, I make sure to pick an animal that can handle the crowd, one that is very affectionate and kind,” Chandler said.

“Ella loved the attention,

continued from page 1

continued from page 1

Donald Campbell / The Outlook

Lake Martin Animal Shelter Director Mia Chandler enjoys reading to the gathered children at Mamie’s Place Children’s Library Wednesday morning while Ella tries to explore the library. Below, A group of children from Jacob’s Ladder happily pose with Lake Martin Animal Shelter Director Mia Chandler and Ella during Wednesday’s Budding Bookworms story time at Mamie’s Place Children’s Library.

and I wanted to show that, even though she was so injured when we took her in (when Ella was younger, she was hit by a car which effectively shattered her back legs, requiring multiple surgeries to repair), she still deserves a chance.”

Chandler said she typically goes to the library for this event once a year, but also takes advantage of other invitations to go to several local daycares and the elementary schools, including accepting an invitation to speak at Alexander City Middle School for the first time.

“I think today went really well,” Chandler opportunity, they’re very said. “Events like this special. It’s great expoI think are a wonderful sure for the shelter, and

Video “We were alerted Wednesday to the content and began an investigation,” said Alexander City Police Department Detective Cpl. Michael Howell.

“At this point we have not identified the victim or the suspect and are still not sure if there is any connection to Alexander City.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and the Montgomery Police Department are also investigating.”

But Howell did say that they have made an arrest in the case. Rather than report the crime, many have been sharing the video across social media. Distributing that kind of material through any means is a crime.

“We have arrested

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for children who may have had a bad experience with a dog or a cat,

doing this can help them have good, positive experiences around animals.”

continued from page 1

37-year-old Isaac Curtis Thomas of Alexander City on charges of disseminating obscene material,” Howell said.

“That is a clear violation of Alabama law. If someone were to receive information involving this video or this case, they should report it and delete it immediately.”

Under Alabama law, Code of Alabama, §13A-12191, “Dissemination or public display of obscene matter containing visual depiction of persons under 17 years of age involved in obscene acts, a Class B felony; and §13A-12-192(b), Possession and possession with intent to disseminate obscene matter containing visual

depiction of persons under 17 years of age involved in obscene acts, a Class C felony.”

Howell said in the course of the investigation to determine how and by whom the video was shared and who the people who appear in the video are, they will charge others who they have found have shared or distributed the material.

Anyone with information that could help this investigation should call the Alexander City Police Department at 256-2343421, CrimeStoppers at 334-215-STOP or the Alabama Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force at 334-3531224.

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256.234.4281 • Alexander City Outlook • Dadeville Record • Wetumpka Herald • Eclectic Observer • Tallassee Tribune

LIZI ARBOGAST SPORTS EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X228 lizi.arbogast@alexcityoutlook.com

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JOE MCADORY Columnist

Sweet sounds of NFL Films sooth the soul M

y eyes are perpetually glued to one series of television shows every year Super Bowl week rolls around: Super Bowl highlights.

I see Starr execute Lombardi’s playbook, Namath deliver on promises and perfection personified in the likes of Csonka, Shula and Buoniconti.

There’s Landy’s signature hat, and every now and then that stoic cracks a smile. Kansas City’s Hank Stram is mic’ed up like a goofball. The Steel Curtain outplays Doomsday, not once, but twice.

Riggins steamrolls Don McNeal and chugs his way to glory. And, of course, Kevin Norwood misses that gamewinning field goal every single time.

Thank God for NFL Films. Thank God for vintage Super Bowl highlights, where I can sit back in my recliner and remember football legends past and, to a degree, relive my childhood.

Thank God for John Facenda … the voice of football, the voice of grit and determination, the voice of the Autumn Wind and the voice of everything that was right with old highlight films. I hear his voice and see Johnny Unitas, Terry Bradshaw and Len Dawson.

Thank God for that hypnotic, classic music that accompanied NFL Films.

Just the sound of it makes me want to tackle somebody, stand over my victim and proclaim, “I’m your Mean Joe Greene! You’re my Vince Ferragamo!

Eat dirt!”

It’s a beautiful time of year, isn’t it?

All-Iron Bowl Super Bowl team: Auburn and Alabama players are no stranger to NFL success on individual or team levels. Many players who competed in the Iron Bowl went on to perform on football’s greatest stage.

I can’t name them all, but I attempted to list the best Auburn or Alabama players at each position: QB — Bart Starr (Alabama/Green Bay) RB — James Brooks (Auburn/ Cincinnati); Shaun Alexander (Alabama/Seattle) FB — Tommie Agee (Auburn/Dallas) WR — Julio Jones (Alabama/Atlanta); Ray Perkins (Alabama/Baltimore Colts) TE — Ron Middleton (Auburn/ Washington) C — Dwight Stephenson (Alabama/ Miami) G — Kendall Simmons (Auburn/ Pittsburgh); John Hannah (Alabama/ New England) T — Steve Wallace (Auburn/San Francisco); Dave Hill (Auburn/Kansas City) DE — Ben Thomas (Auburn/New England); Mark Anderson (Alabama/ New England) DT — Bob Baumhower (Alabama/ Miami); Cornelius Griffin (Alabama/ New York Giants) LB — Lee Roy Jordan (Alabama/ Dallas); Cornelius Bennett (Alabama/ Buffalo); Mike Kolen (Auburn/Miami); Kevin Greene (Auburn/Pittsburgh, Carolina) CB — Carlos Rogers (Auburn/San Francisco); Jeremiah Castille (Alabama/ Denver) S — Bobby Hunt (Auburn/Kansas City); Roman Harper (Alabama/New Orleans) K — Al Del Greco (Auburn/Tennessee) P — Chris Mohr (Alabama/Buffalo) Greatest team ever? Watching all of these powerhouses over the years makes me wonder. Too bad we can’t have a real-life tournament to settle the issue.

Finalists (one team per franchise) for my eight-team tournament would be the 2004 Patriots, 1978 Steelers, 1966 Packers, 1992 Cowboys, 1972 Dolphins, 1989 49ers, 1985 Bears, 1976 Raiders and 1998 Broncos.

Eagles vs. Patriots: Not being a fan of either franchise, I don’t care who wins. It’s hard to pick against Tom Brady or Bill Belichick, and I’m not about to start here.

Patriots 30, Eagles 21.

Joe McAdory is a communications editor at Auburn University’s Harbert College of Business.

Sports Outlook The

Friday, February 2, 2018

Game of the Week

Wildcats, Cougars to settle rivalry

By LIZI ARBOGAST Sports Editor

With area tournaments and playoffs right around the corner, there couldn’t be a better warmup game for the Central Coosa Cougars and the Benjamin Russell Wildcats than tonight’s rivalry matchup at BRHS. “The atmosphere is outstanding for the transition to different sites Alabama has set up for us in the postseason,” Central Coosa boys coach Jeremy Freeman said. “That environment will be like going into a foreign land, so it’s good practice.”

And after the way the teams battled in the first meeting, this could be anyone’s game. The first time around, Benjamin Russell girls won, 59-52, while Central Coosa’s boys pulled off a 54-51 victory, but that was more than a month ago and a lot has changed since then.

“I think we have grown quite a bit as a team since we played them over there,” BRHS boys coach Lewis Daniel said. “Playing them early in the season, we still finished pretty close. It was only a couple points difference, but we’re a much better basketball team. Their coach is probably thinking they’re much better, though, too.

Friday, I like to think we have the advantage though because I know we’ve grown quite a bit and we’re going to play much better.”

The biggest difference in the first meeting was Benjamin Russell’s buffoonery with the ball. The Wildcats committed a whopping 28 turnovers, some of which were extremely costly. Miscues have plagued Benjamin Russell all season long, but over the course of the last two weeks, the Wildcats have slowly but surely gotten things together.

Gelling as a team, Benjamin Russell (11-10) is spreading around its talent, relying on different players at different times to play certain roles.

When the Wildcats need a big offensive push, they’ve got guys like Jaden Tuck and Quin Burroughs to get the job done, but when they need to stall

CENTRAL COOSA VS. BENJAMIN RUSSELL

Game data: Central Coosa Cougars at Benjamin Russell Wildcats … Non-area game … Friday, girls at 5:30 p.m., boys at 7 p.m.

Media coverage: Follow @liziarbogast on Twitter for live updates. Check out our Facebook page for pregame coverage on Inside the Lines Live starting at 5 p.m.

Teams: Benjamin Russell’s girls team enters with a 14-6 record, having won seven of its last nine, while the Cougars (12-3) are on a five-game win streak … For the boys, the Wildcats (11-10) have also won four in a row, while Central Coosa (14-4) is coming off a loss to Clay Central.

Series: In the first meeting, Benjamin Russell’s girls won, 59-52, while Central Coosa’s boys earned a 54-51 win.

Outlook prediction: BRHS girls by 5; Wildcat boys by 4. The home crowd will propel Benjamin Russell to a sweep. things defensively, that’s where players such as Za Stowes, Alex Doss and Davede Herron come in.

For the Cougars (14-4), they’re still relying heavily on Noel Jones, Omar Gaddis and Jovon Richardson for the bulk of their scoring. They recently suffered the loss of Josean McKinney, who moved back to Florida, but there’s others stepping up in his place.

“Joshua McGhee has really come along in the last couple games, so his emergence really helps out,” Freeman said. “He can play inside and outside and he’s a good ballhandler. A new candidate for our sixth man has emerged, and that’s Cameron Williams. He has relished that role and has been wanting that spot.”

On the girls side, there will be two main players Benjamin Russell will focus on: Ryesha Whetstone and Eunique McKinney. Whetstone constantly pumps in more than 20 points per game, and McKinney is all over the stat sheet as one of the Cougars’ leading scorers and rebounders every night.

“The first time was a dogfight, but I think we’ve definitely improved,” BRHS girls coach Latreisha Moon said. “We’re running the floor real good right now, and I think our post players are better than Coosa’s post. It’s Coosa’s guards that we gotta worry about it. (Whetstone) is going to be a key player for Coosa, so if we can limit her, we’ll be fine.”

File / The Outlook

Benjamin Russell’s Brooklyn Edwards, left, and Aaliyah Thomas, right, put the pressure on Dadeville’s Ka’Niyah Wilkerson earlier this season. The Wildcat defense will be put to the test tonight against Central Coosa in the Game of the Week.

This could certainly be a battle of defensive wills, as both teams like to press and get up and down the floor quickly.

Benjamin Russell (14-6) has the likes of Aaliyah Thomas and Shay Johnson working at the top of the defense, but both Whetstone and McKinney have that same defensive prowess for the Cougars (12-3).

Inside, Benjamin Russell forwards Jaaliyah Caldwell and Brooklyn Edwards have been dominating most of their opponents, and they’ll have a size advantage over Coosa’s

most threatening forward, Shae Suttles.

More importantly than this game is how it could affect the teams, which all move into area tournament play beginning either Monday or Tuesday.

“I think psychologically, it could play a major role one way or the other,” Daniel said. “A win for us takes that monkey off your back so to speak that you defeated one of your bigger rivals the last game of the regular season and propel you into the area with a level of confidence.”

Cunigan, Turner hunt down medals at state track said. “I would bet with Lance in most anything he runs, he takes pride in what he does.

A pair of Benjamin Russell He trains hard. You can’t really teach a distance runner, runners are state champion you just gotta be born to run hopefuls as they head to distance and he was. He also Birmingham for the AHSAA works really hard.”

State Indoor Track and Field The 800 will be run today, Championships while the 1,600 will take place Both Lance Cunigan and Saturday.

Jackson Turner will compete Both Cunigan and in the Class 6A 800, and Cunigan also qualified for the Turner qualified for state by competing last weekend at the 1,600.

Last Chance Invitational. It “Lance is ranked No. 3 in was Cunigan’s only meet of the state, and I think Lance the season, as he has struggled has a good chance of maybe winning a state championship,” with an injury since cross BRHS coach Martae Wyckoff country season.

STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

As for Turner, Wyckoff is hoping for a top-20 finish in the 800.

“Jackon runs really hard,” Wyckoff said. “He’s a competitor, but he’s not quite on the same level. He trains really hard though, and he’ll get after it.”

CACC wins softball opener

For the first time this season, Central Alabama Community College hit the softball field and escaped Coastal Alabama Community College with a 9-5 victory.

The Trojans (1-0) racked up nine hits and were helped

along by five Coastal errors.

Coastal led for most of the game, but the Trojans exploded for six runs in the sixth inning to claim the lead and eventually the victory.

Leading the charge for CACC was Kristen Tolbert, who had three hits and two RBIs. Elizabeth Burns and Courtney Ray each had a pair of hits, and Shatima Smith and Sierra Easterwood both drove in a pair of runs.

Easterwood pitched the complete game, scattering seven hits and five earned runs while striking out seven and walking only one.

LOCAL SPORTS CALENDAR Friday, Feb. 2 High school boys basketball Central Coosa at Benjamin Russell, 7:30 p.m.

Horseshoe Bend at Dadeville, 7 High school girls basketball Central Coosa at Benjamin Russell, 6 p.m.

Horseshoe Bend at Dadeville, 5:30 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 5 High school boys basketball Class 6A Area 6 tournament Benjamin Russell vs. Wetumpka at Opelika, 7 p.m.

High school girls basketball Class 6A Area 6 tournament Benjamin Russell vs. Wetumpka at Opelika, 5 p.m.

Class 4A Area 5 tournament Holtville vs. Dadeville at Alabama Christian, 6 p.m.

Class 3A Area 6 tournament

B.B. Comer at Central Coosa, 5 Beulah vs. Randolph County at Coosa, 6:30 p.m.

Class 2A Area 8 tournament Reeltown vs. LaFayette at Lanett, 5 p.m.

Horseshoe Bend at Lanett, 6:30 Tuesday, Feb. 6 High school boys basketball Class 4A Area 5 tournament Elmore County vs. Holtville at Dadeville, 6 p.m.

Class 3A Area 6 tournament B.B. Comer at Central Coosa, 5 Beulah vs. Randolph County at Coosa, 6:30 p.m.

Class 2A Area 8 tournament Reeltown vs. LaFayette at Lanett, 5 p.m.

Horseshoe Bend at Lanett, 6:30 College softball Central Alabama Community College at LBW Saints (2), 1

Wednesday, Feb. 7 High school boys basketball Class 6A Area 6 tournament Championship: BRHSWetumpka winner at Opelika, 7 p.m.

High school girls basketball Class 3A Area 6 tournament Championship at Central Coosa, 6 p.m.

Class 4A Area 5 tournament Tallassee vs. Elmore County at Alabama Christian, 5 p.m.

Holtville-Dadeville winner at Alabama Christian, 7 p.m.

Class 6A Area 6 tournament Championship: BRHSWetumpka winner at Opelika, 5

Class 4A Area 5 tournament Alabama Christian vs. Tallassee at Dadeville, 5 p.m.

Elmore County-Holtville winner at Dadeville, 7 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 8 High school boys basketball Class 3A Area 6 tournament Championship at Central Coosa, 6 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 10 High school boys basketball Class 4A Area 5 tournament Championship at Dadeville, 6 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 9 High school boys basketball Class 2A Area 8 tournament Championship at Lanett, 6:30 p.m.

High school girls basketball Class 4A Area 5 tournament Championship at Alabama Christian, 6 p.m.

Class 2A Area 8 tournament Championship at Lanett, 5 p.m.