OPINION: YOUR ROLE IN KEEPING OUR DEMOCRACY STRONG
Weekend The Outlook
SAMPLE BALLOTS, PAGE 11. ENDORSEMENTS, PAGE 4.
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
February 27-28, 2016 • Vol. 124 • No. 42 • www.alexcityoutlook.com
WILDCAT INVITATIONAL BRHS hosts tennis tournament. Page 12.
First Baptist turns to King to lead congregation By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Things have come full circle for Dr. Steve King and his wife Donna. Steve is the new pastor at First Baptist Church of Alexander City, a place where he first got the call into ministry as a child. “It is kind of surreal,” King said. “It is a different and unique thing in that I am stepping into a church where I know so many people, into a community that I so strongly love and don’t have to get to like.” King was at home at his last
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Steve King poses for a photograph in sanctuary of the First Baptist Church of Alexander City. King got his start in ministry in Alexander City.
church, Ozark Baptist Church. “We loved Ozark,” King said. “This was the only church that I would have left my former pastorate for. We were very happy where we were.” King has also lead the Baptist Church in Elmore. Coming back, King says he still has a few things to learn but hopes to pick up where he left off. “We grew up here and know what a great community it is here,” King said. “A lot has changed since I have been here. I have got to learn the environment again. I just want
CACC sets merger town halls City council passes resolution of support STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
The merger of four three colleges to a single regional community college continues to advance Central Alabama Community College President Susan Burrow, who will also serve as president of the regional community college to be created from the consolidation of CACC and Southern Union and Chattahoochee Valley community colleges, will hold a series of five meetings in March to allow citizens of each of the communities where the consolidated college will have campuses to ask questions about or provide input on the consolidation process. The meetings will be held March 2 through March 9 and will include one each in Alexander City, See CACC • Page 2
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
The Obamas, Joris Thomas and Nivea Jackson and their Secret Service escorts John Sawyer Lawhorn and Kailee McCrary leave the Jeopardy set at Stephens Black History program Friday.
HISTORY IN JEOPARDY
Stephens turns to game show for Black History lesson By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
“He was born and raised in Alexander City, Alabama. He started as a patrolman in 1978 and has gone through the ranks. He became the Chief of Police for our city on July 6, 2013. He is the first African American to hold this position. He is married and has two daughters.” Buzzzzz. “Who is Chief Willie George Robinson?”
Chief Robinson was recognized Friday as Nathaniel H. Stephens Elementary School hosted its Black History Program with a game of Jeopardy. “It was great,” Robinson said. “It was nice to be a part of it. I am glad that I was asked.” Students took care of the roles of prominent African Americans like Tina Turner, Cam Newton, Maya Angelou, and Barack and Michelle Obama with See STEPHENS • Page 5
to first form strong relationships and gain trust. Then we can start to formulate a vision.” Those relationships are already showing themselves as evidenced by the new hat and shirts from his alma mater BRHS draped over a chair in his office. King was involved at First Baptist Church of Alexander City as a youth. “When I was in the youth program, Skip Lowery was the worship and youth pastor,” King said. “I think he saw leadership skills in See KING • Page 2
Is prison reform a pass for criminals? Law enforcement officials say prison reform slights victims By MITCH SNEED Editor
Prison reform has been an issue in Alabama for decades, with the population in some facilities at more than 200 percent. While the Alabama Legislature introduced a plan that will address many of the issues, many local officials said the plan may help overcrowding at the expense of public safety. In talking with the men elected by the citizens of Elmore and Tallapoosa counties, they see more problems than fixes with the new plan – especially for the victims. “I think it’s the victims who are being forgotten in all this,” Tallapoosa County Sheriff Jimmy Abbett said. “Being a victim of a crime is a traumatic experience. Then once a suspect is caught, the legal process is long and that’s frustrating. See REFORM • Page 3
Four local teams cooking wild game at ‘Dega track By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer
Submitted / The Outlook
Chonita’s Cookers will prepare catfish tacos and other dishes at Talladega’s AWF Wild Game Cook-off Saturday.
Today’s
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The wild game cook teams are tuned up and ready to take on the speedway. Some 50 or so of the most streamlined cook teams in Alabama will converge on the Talladega Superspeedway today, including four teams from the Alexander City area. Chonita’s Cookers, Grill Commanders, Smokin’ & Jokin’ BBQ and Smokin’ Aces – all from Alexander City – will participate in
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
485.55 Reported on 2/26/16 @ 7 p.m.
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54708 90050 USPS Permit # 013-080
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Linda Shaffer, REALTOR® C: 256.794.4641 • W: 256.329.5253 shaffer@lakemartin.net 5295 Highway 280, Alexander City, AL
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today’s 11th annual Alabama Wildlife Federation Wild Game Cook-Off at Talladega Superspeedway. The cookoff begins at 4 p.m., but pre-cook activities begin earlier. “I heard there were going to be about 50 or 51 teams up there,” said Bill McGrady of Chonita’s Cookers. “That’s a big cook-off. And we always have some Alexander City teams up there.” And the Alexander City teams usually fare well. In fact, Smokin’ & Jokin’ BBQ – Jones and his wife
Khara and son Caleb along with Blake and Rachel Self and their son Eli – is the defending AWF Wild Game Cook-Off State Champion and also won at Talladega last year. Smokin’ & Jokin’ took last year’s state title with its Sinful Qual, which team leader Chad Jones described as “an apple stuffed with quail, pork sausage and apple, smoked and dressed with a sweet, gravy-like sauce.” Smokin’ & Jokin’ barely bested their Alex City rivals, Chonita’s See COOKOFF • Page 5
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