Feb 4, 2016 Alex City Outlook

DOES ALEXANDER CITY NEED A CITY MANAGER? SIGN THE PETITION AT THE OUTLOOK TO VOTE. FOR OUR THURSDAY THE SUBSCRIBERS February’s Lake Magazine inside today’s paper.

Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892 February 4, 2016

Vol. 124, No. 25

www.alexcityoutlook.com

Firefighters praised for willingness to train in CPR

By MITCH SNEED Editor

Submitted / The Outlook

Alexander City Fire Department Lt. Jeremy Spears trains nurses at Bill Nichols Veterans Home in CPR.

When people think of the Alexander City Fire Department, they often think of the shiny red truck, uniformed firefighters pulling hoses to battle flames or possibly making a life-saving ambulance run or rescue in a dangerous situation.

While the staff of the Alexander City Fire Department does all those things, they also help save lives in other ways – with education.

Wednesday, Lt. Jeremy Spears was at Bill Nichols Veterans home, helping recertify nurses and staff in CPR. Bill Nichols Director of Nursing Diana Boddie said it is a service that means so much to the facility and she wanted to let the city know how much it is appreciated.

“I can’t tell you how much it means that they do this,” Boddie said. “Today it was Lt. Spears, but no matter what we need, the people at the fire department are always so accommodating.

Local primary ballot has few contested races

Meth ingredient tracking proving to be effective

GOP District Attorney race the only vote that has opposing candidates

STAFF REPORT Outlook Staff

While final local numbers for 2015 are not available, Tallapoosa County Sheriff Jimmy Abbett said new safeguards that limit the sale of pseudoephedrine is having an impact on smaller local meth production.

The National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators (NADDI) – a nonprofit organization that facilitates cooperation between law enforcement, healthcare professionals, state regulatory agencies and pharmaceutical manufacturers in the prevention and investigation of drug diversion – recently praised National Precursor Log Exchange (NPLEx) state and national results for the 2015 calendar year.

The NPLEx system, adopted by Alabama and 31 other states across the country, aids law enforcement professionals by See METH • Page 5

Today’s

Weather

52 29 High

Low

Lake Martin

Lake Levels

482.92

Reported on 02/03//16 @ 7 p.m.

Linda Shaffer, REALTOR® C: 256.794.4641 • W: 256.329.5253 shaffer@lakemartin.net 5295 Highway 280, Alexander City, AL

6

54708 90050 USPS Permit # 013-080

8

“Deputy Chief Reese McAllister has been very helpful in working with our facility to coordinate classes around our nurses work schedules.”

Alexander City Fire Department Chief Kem Jones and McAlister were not at the station as they are attending a conference, but Spears said that it is part of the job that they feel good about.

“It’s just part of the job we do here,” Spears said. “CPR training is very important and some of the jobs require See TRAINING • Page 3

By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer

The Radney School Drama Club will present the children’s musical version of “Aladdin” Thursday and Friday at 6 p.m. at the Benjamin Russell High School Auditorium.

Crystal Phillips, who, along with April Harris and Brett Wingler, directs the Radney Drama Club, said the production will feature about 50 Radney students. The part of Aladdin will be played by Will Schouten on Thursday

The Tallapoosa County ballots for the March 1 primaries include only one contested race at the local level.

The sole contested local battle is on the Republican ballot and pits Chambers County attorney William G. “Bill” Harris against Damon Lewis, currently the chief deputy district attorney for the retiring district attorney E. Paul Jones.

The Republican ballot also includes votes for the presidential presidential nominee and presidential delegates of the voter’s choice and several state elections.

Statewide elections on the Republican ballot include U.S. Senator between incumbent Sen. Richard Shelby, Marcus Bowman, a Baldwin County technology consultant, John Martin of Dothan, Jonathan McConnell, a former Auburn University SGA president and ex-Marine from Birmingham, and Shadrack McGill, a former state senator from Jackson County), U.S. Representative for District 3 (candidates are incumbent Mike Rogers and former Phenix City superintendent Larry DiChiara), Associate Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court (candidates are Donna J. Beaulieu and Tom Parker), Public Service Commission president (candidates are incumbent Twinkle Cavanaugh Andress and Terry Dunn).

See PLAY • Page 11

See VOTE • Page 3

Cliff Williams / The Outlook

Radney Elementary’s cast of Aladdin takes part in a dress rehearsal at the BRHS auditorium on Wednesday evening. Below, the genie played by Madison Baker grants a wish. The production runs Thursday and Friday evening.

Radney presents Aladdin Classic story takes stage tonight and Friday at BRHS

By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer

Creel new leader of BRHS Vo-Ag program

By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer

Jordan Creel may be the new kid on the block at Benjamin Russell, but the first-year vocational agribusiness teacher has hit the ground running.

Creel, who made the move to the Alexander City school from Coosa County’s Science and Technology Center, currently has 93 freshmen through seniors in his classes which are concentrated on the skills necessary for a career in construction.

“It’s an introductory level construction program,” said Creel. “We’re offering a course that’s been approved by the National Center for Construction Education and Research. In fact, our program is set to be reviewed by the state next week. Hopefully, once we’re approved we’ll be able to start offering our students the NCCER credential.”

Currently, Creel’s students are concentrating on electrical wiring and weld-

ing with some basic woodworking skills also thrown in.

To introduce his students to woodworking, he had them build what he calls “my version of paper football,” a rectangular box containing pegs in which pennies are used to play the “football” game.

“Since we offer a construction pathway, I wanted to get the students acclimated through this simple woodworking project,” Creel said. “First they learn shop safety. Then they use a table saw, a compound miter saw, a drill and a hammer and they are required to measure and mark. It’s simple, but it covers the basics. And I can tell you, using a tape measure is becoming a lost art.”

After the students complete the woodworking project, half of them move on to electrical wiring and the other half to welding.

“The students working on the See VO-AG • Page 3

Don’t put your money where your “mouse” is.

BUYING LOCAL MEANS...

• You’ll get better customer service.

• You’ll ¿nd unique gifts.

• You’ll feel better about where your money goes.

LOVE your community – Buy LOCAL!

Page 2

www.alexcityoutlook.com

Visits to Mother-in-Law Feel Like Stepping Into a Fight Ring

Friday

52 30 Low

High Sunny

Saturday

53 31 Low

High Sunny

Staff

Directory Telephone: (256) 234-4281 Fax: (256) 234-6550 Website: www.alexcityoutlook.com

Mia Osborn Assistant Magazine Editor, Ext. 227 mia.osborn@alexcityoutlook.com

Management Kenneth Boone Publisher, Ext. 218 kenneth.boone@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

Advertising Sales Tippy Hunter Advertising Director, Ext. 206 marketing@alexcityoutlook.com Doug Patterson Newspaper Advertising, Ext. 205 doug.patterson@alexcityoutlook.com Kim Morse Advertising Sales, Ext. 217 kim.morse@alexcityoutlook.com Emily Guill Advertising Sales, Ext. 225 emily.guill@alexcityoutlook.com Debbie DeWildt Advertising Sales, Ext. 214 debbie.dewildt@alexcityoutlook.com

Accounting Angela Mullins Bookkeeping, Ext. 202 angela.mullins@alexcityoutlook.com Mary Lyman Boone Bookkeeping marylyman.boone@alexcityoutlook.com Newsroom

Betsy Iler Magazine Managing Editor, Ext. 221 betsy.iler@alexcityoutlook.com Robert Hudson Sports Editor, Ext. 228 robert.hudson@alexcityoutlook.com Cliff Williams Staff Writer, Ext. 212 cliff.williams@alexcityoutlook.com David Granger Staff Writer, Ext. 210 david.granger@alexcityoutlook.com

Composing Audra Spears Composing Department, Ext. 219 audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com Darlene Johnson Composing Department, Ext. 203 darlene.johnson@alexcityoutlook.com Hallie Holloway Composing Department, Ext. 203 hallie.holloway@alexcityoutlook.com Alethia Russell Graphic Artist, Ext. 231 alethia.russell@alexcityoutlook.com Circulation Linda Ewing Asst. Circulation Manager, Ext. 201 linda.ewing@alexcityoutlook.com

DEAR ABBY: I am dreading an upcoming trip that includes a visit to my husband’s mother, “Harriet.” She is prone to “accidents” when I visit, and I always end up getting hurt.

Harriet’s “oops” moments usually involve my toes and feet, although the last time I was there she managed to strike my face.

I have taken the precaution of looking up the phone number of the police department in her city, just in case she hits me again. Is there a way to keep her at arm’s length so she can’t get close enough to punch me?

In the 20-plus years I have known Harriet, she has always been a bully. She strikes out at me because I stood up to her. -- APPREHENSIVE IN LOUISIANA DEAR APPREHENSIVE: Because this has gone on for 20 years, I’m inclined to agree with your suspicion that these “mishaps” haven’t been accidental. An effective way to pre-

DEAR ABBY Advice

vent further injury would be to avoid being in the same town with Harriet. The next time your husband decides to visit her, take a detour and let him deal with his mother. She sounds like a handful.

DEAR ABBY: A 30-year-old relative of mine has developed a “germ phobia.” She constantly applies hand sanitizer and avoids anyone who exhibits any kind of symptoms. She refused to visit me when I was in the hospital because she thought she might catch something. She was not always like this.

I love her dearly and have no idea what has caused the

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

Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL, 35011. © 2011 Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. ReproPOSTMASTER: Send address duction of any part of any issue requires changes to Post Office Box 999, written publisher permission.

Alexander City, AL 35011.

Postal

Information

Obituaries Mr. Benjamin H. Flowers Funeral service for Mr. Benjamin H. Flowers 63 of Alexander City AL Friday, 1 p.m.; February 5, 2016 at Armour’s Memorial Chapel, Alexander City, AL, burial in Armour’s Memorial Garden, Alexander City, AL.

Alexander City Police Department Jan. 31

Feb. 2

• A resident of Shoreline Point in Jackson’s Gap filed a report for theft.

• A business on Highway 50 in Dadeville filed a report for burglary of a business.

• A resident of Old Providence Road in Goodwater filed a report for burglary of a residence.

• Sharon Denise Chandler of Alexander City was arrested for domestic violence.

• Theft was reported in Alexander City.

Jan 30

Feb. 1

• Domestic violence was reported in the 700 block of East Pine Street.

Jan. 29

• Dangelo Maurice Brooks of Alexander City was arrested for possession of marijuana.

• Burglary was reported on Mohogo Road.

• Misty Mitchell Tidwell of Alexander City was arrested for shop lifting.

• Domestic violence was reported on County Road.

• Domestic violence was reported in the 100 block of 12th Avenue.

• Theft was reported on Pineview Drive.

• Theft was reported on Summer Street.

• Burglary was reported on Old Kellyton Road.

Jan. 27

• Domestic violence was reported on Carolyn Road.

• Theft was reported on Fish Pond Road.

• Breaking and Entering was reported on Airport Boulevard.

Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Department

 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.

fourth Tuesday of each month.

Meetings 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.

 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.

 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.

 Coosa County Board of Education holds called meetings at least once a month.  Coosa County Commission meets on the second and

hospital.

DEAR ABBY: I just think that as a child, I have too many responsibilities to take care of.

My mother thinks I am stubborn and not able to take care of myself. What do you think? -HELENA, AGE 9 DEAR HELENA: I think you have a good mother. The way to teach children responsibility is to place some on their shoulders. If you learn the lessons of independence your mother is trying to teach you, with time these chores will become easier and less overwhelming. And you will thank her for them later when you’re older.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

• Marcus Moon of Coosa County Road 63 in Alexander City was arrested for grand jury indictments theft of property second and burglary third.

• Demarcus Giddens of Foster Street in Auburn was for two grand jury indictments for burglary third and theft of property third.

• A business on County Road 34 in Dadeville filed a report for criminal mishief.

• Michael Williams of Cherokee Trail in Tallassee was arrested for failure to appear for child support and was transported to the Tallapoosa County Jail.

Dadeville Police Department Feb. 2

• Arrest of a Jackson’s Gap woman, age 20, on the charge of Failure to Appear occurred at the Tallapoosa County Jail.

• Arrest of a Dadeville woman, age 27, on two charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance and one charge of Theft of Property occurred on N. Broadnax Street.

Feb. 1

• A report was filed for Theft of a Motor Vehicle that occurred on Highway 280.

Jan. 31

• Patrick Murphy of 6th Street Ext. in Alexander City was arrested on a warrant for probation violation for theft of property second and failure to appear for criminal mischief second.

Jan. 30

• A resident on Center Port Road in Dadeville filed a report for identity theft.

• A resident on gold Dust Road in Noratulga filed a report for burglary of a residence and theft of property.

• A resident on Motley Road in Daviston filed a report for theft.

• Tamara Overton of Flournoy Road. in Dadeville was arrested on a warrant for probation and revocation for theft of property second.

Jan. 29

Jan. 31

• Arrest of a Sylacauga woman, age 21, on the charge of Possession of Marijuana 2nd occurred on Highway 280.

• A report was filed for Domestic Violence 3rd that occurred on Lett Street.

Jan. 30

• A report was filed for Theft of Property 3rd that occurred on Peachtree Street.

• A report was filed for Theft of Property 2nd that occurred on Freeman Drive.

Jan. 29

• Arrest of a Jackson’s Gap woman, age 28, on the charge of Failure to Appear occurred at the Tallapoosa County Jail.

Fire in Camp Hill

Public Meetings

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

problem. Is there anything I can do to get her to give up some of the precautions she’s taking -- or does she need professional help? -- WORRIED RELATIVE IN TAMPA, FLA. DEAR WORRIED RELATIVE: Because you don’t know what has caused her health concerns, I recommend you ASK her. Hand sanitizers are popular because they claim to kill 99 percent of germs and decrease bacteria on the skin.

Every time someone opens the door to a public building or presses an elevator button it’s as though that person has shaken hands with everyone who has been there before, so using hand sanitizer seems like good sense to me.

As to your relative not visiting you while you were hospitalized, the reason doctors are reducing the length of hospital stays and are performing so many outpatient procedures is to minimize the germs that patients are exposed to in the

Police Reports

Jan.28

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

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

Thursday, February 4, 2016

The Outlook

 Dadeville City Council meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 5 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 Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held upstairs in the courthouse 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.  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 second and fourth 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.

Cliff Williams / The Outlook

A fire last Thursday night destroyed the home of former Camp Hill mayor Sam Ellis. The Camp Hill Volunteer Fire Department and the Dadeville Fire Department responded to the fire on Main Street.

Now thru Mar. 31, Receive a 10 year parts & compressor warranty on all York residential system replacements & new installations.

Also includes a factory 10-year labor warranty.

Buy NEW with Williams and you will have no repair cost for the next 10 years.

Excluding maintenance and maintenance related problems i.e. stopped up drain, dirty coil, etc.

SOCIAL SECURITY FAYE EDMONDSON Attorney at Law

135 N. Tallassee Street • Dadeville, AL

256-825-9559 No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.

Williams Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning Inc Mike Coker 3875 Dadeville Road, Alexander City, AL 35010

256-329-8488 • 256-267-5021 mobile

WHATLEY MONUMENT Company

We Care About You and Your Loved Ones!

•Home-like Environment • Specialized Dementia Care Unit •Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy Services

A DAMS HEALTH & REHAB 1555 HILLABEE STREET • (256) 329-0847

Better Service A Family Tradition 1049 Hillabee Street Alexander City, AL C.M. “Mike” Whatley, Owner

329-1217

Thursday, February 4, 2016

Vo-Ag

continued from page 1

electrical wiring learn where power comes from, measure amps and volts, build a basic light and switch, build a plug, learn different ways of wiring and when and how they’re used. The welding students get used to the equipment – it’s mainly just stick welding – learn how to run a bead and, finally, how to weld things together.

“At the end of the year, after the students have learned both, they will build a lamp from horseshoes using their welding skills and then wire it.”

In addition to teaching in the classroom, as BRHS’ vocational agribusiness teacher, Creel is also the advisor of the schools Future Farmers of America chapter.

“I’m excited about our FFA chapter,” Creel said. “We’ve got 24 members this year and that’s a record for Benjamin Russell. I think the old record was 13 or 14.”

Creel said he has already formed several FFA teams that will compete in competitions in poultry judging, agricultural mechanics, construction, small engines and floraculture.

“I also took about 20 of my FFA

students to the Sunbelt Ag Expo in Moultrie, Georgia, in October,” Creel said. “That was a lot of fun and I think the students enjoyed it and learned a lot, too. And, of course, with a lot of the kids being raised in the city and not having spent a lot of time on a farm, they had a lot of questions. Questions about some of the big tractors they saw and what they were used for, things like that. A lot of them really surprised me with wanting to do that.”

Creel said he will elect his FFA officers next week.

“We’ll have each of the kids that want to be an officer write an essay and they’ll be reviewed by members of our advisory committee and we’ll pick them based on that,” Creel said. “We want our officers to be the ones that really want to represent us in the right way.”

Vocational agribusiness is one of several career and technical programs at Benjamin Russell and other area schools. February is Career Tech Month and, throughout the month, The Outlook will highlight several of this programs.

Training

continued from page 1

that certification. If we can do that and help out, we are glad to do it.

“By training someone and giving that knowledge, who’s to say that it may not save a life down the line.”

Spears said that they have done classes for nursing students, city employees as well as recruits at the fire department and other agencies in the past.

Boddie said she just wanted to let the people of Alexander City know how lucky they are to have people like the ones at the fire department representing the city.

“I want the citizens of our community to realize that our fire department employees do much more than ambulance runs and put out fires,” Boddie said. “They also donate their time to

Did You Know?

www.alexcityoutlook.com

The Outlook

community service and the employees at Bill Nichols State Veterans home appreciate their dedication.”

Alexander City Mayor Charles Shaw said that he is happy to hear the praise from the folks at Bill Nichols and said he was surprised a bit.

“I would put our public safety folks, our fire EMS and police, up against in any the state,” Shaw said. “They are some of the most highly trained that you will find in any city in Alabama.

“Our firefighters go above and beyond, often on their own time and after hours, to help in the community.

They don’t do it for the recognition, they did it because they genuinely love to help people and they love Alexander City.”

Vote

continued from page 1

The Democratic ballot also includes votes for the presidential candidate and presidential delegates of the voter’s choice and the race for a Democratic challenger for U.S. Senate between patient’s rights activist Ron Crumpton of Pelham and businessman Charles Nana of Birmingham.

To register to vote in the State of Alabama, an individual must meet the following qualifications: be a United States Citizen; reside in Alabama; be at least 18 years old; have not been convicted of a felony (or have rights restored); and have not been legally declared “mentally incompetent” by a court.

The deadline for registering to vote in Alabama is 10 days before an election.

A State of Alabama postcard voter registration application may be downloaded from the Tallapoosa County Board of Registrars website, printed, filled out and mailed into local voter registration officials.

A voter may cast an absentee ballot if he or she: • Will be absent from the state on election day; • Is ill or has a physical disability that prevents a trip to the polling place; • Is a registered Alabama voter living outside the county, such as a member of the armed force, a voter employed outside the U.S., a college student or a spouse or child of such a

person; • Is an appointed election officer or poll watcher at a polling place other than his or her regular polling place; or • Works a required shift, 10 hours or more, that coincides with voting hours.

To obtain an absentee ballot, write or visit the local Absentee Election Manager (usually the Circuit Clerk), request an absentee ballot, and provide the following: name and residential address (or other such information in order to verify voter registration); election for which the ballot is requested; reason for absence from polls on election day; party choice, if the election is a party primary. (If the voter fails to designate a party choice for a primary or primary runoff ballot, the absentee election manager may send only the ballot for constitutional amendments.); address to which the ballot should be mailed; and voter signature (If a mark is made in place of a signature, it must be witnessed).

The absentee ballot application must be returned to the Absentee Election Manager by the voter in person or by U.S. Mail. No absentee ballot application may be mailed in the same envelope as another voter’s absentee ballot application.

The absentee ballot applications must turned in no later than the fifth calendar day before the election. If you need help determining your voting place, call 256-825-1081.

FOR SALE 1720 Dadeville Road • Alexander City, AL

Call Spencer or Dax Today!

256.234.5331

DOWN PAYMENTS

As Low

500

$

As...........

MONTHLY PAYMENTS As Low

250

$

As........... *Upon Kerley Motors Approval

ACCORDING TO A RECENT SURVEY READERS SPEND AN AVERAGE OF 23 MINUTES A DAY WITH THEIR PAPER.

THAT’S 30,000 LOYAL, LOCAL & REPEAT READERS WHO COULD BE YOUR CUSTOMER.

CALL US TODAY.

“PROVIDING QUAALITYY ELEECTRRICALL CONSSTRUUCTIIONN SINCE 196 61”

w w w. a l e x c i t y o u t l o o k . c o m

S E R V I C E

256-329-0500

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS (256) 234-4555

256.234.4281 • 548 Cherokee Road • Alexander City, AL

New Full Service Alexander City Location NOW OPEN 3617 U.S. Highway 280

Bill’s Electric P.O. Box 673 1814 Airpor t Blvd • Alexander Cit y, AL

Since 1884, The Alex City Outlook has been a part of the area longer than any other business.

Our mission is to report local community news, keep our readers informed and help businesses grow through marketing & advertising.

Now our

Page 3

R U N S

D E E P

elationships can run even deeper.

We’re now offering all the products and services you need to plan, grow and succeed at our new full-service location. And since we’re a true community bank, we deliver a higher level of service and understand the value of the communities we serve. Visit us today and let us tailor a banking relationship to your needs.

Randy Dawkins

Abby Guy

Sr. Vice President Relationship Manager

Sr. Vice President Relationship Manager

NMLS# 501868

NMLS# 520213

RIVERBANKANDTRUST.COM M O N T G O M E R Y | P R AT T V I L L E WET UMP KA | ALEXANDER CI T Y

Member FDIC Equal Housing Lender

381 GREEN STREET $78,900 PRICED TO SELL! 3BR/2BA Brick home with private backyard. Conveniently located to town. Spacious rooms, tile bathrooms & beautiful hardwoods throughout.

SAMANTHA SPURLIN

OfÄce: 256.329.LAKE (5253) Mobile: 256.786.0650 www.samanthaspurlin.com sam@samanthaspurlin.com

MITCH SNEED EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X213

editor@alexcityoutlook.com

EDITORIAL BOARD Kenneth Boone Mitch Sneed

Outlook The

www.alexcityoutlook.com

Page 4

Our

Opinion

City needs to implement a city manager form of government

M

ost residents believe Alexander City is not professionally man-

aged.

We believe the problem is that our decision makers are not advised and supported by a professionally educated city administrator working to oversee the business of our city, to solve problems and to prevent problems from occurring in the first place.

Here’s a telling list of recent stories we’ve written pointing to the problem: Unapproved city pay increases totaled more than $100,000.

City council flip-flops on how to handle employee pay as an expensive study to resolve the pay-increase issue looms.

Twice previously under different leadership a pay study was done, but the recommendations were never fully implemented.

Suspected break-ins at city hall went unreported to police.

An estimated $120,000 is missing from city golf course funds.

State-mandated budget deadlines were missed for the past two years.

A lawsuit was filed concerning police who made threats against a resident, and how the city handled it.

Money was pulled from reserves three times to balance the budget.

Errors in the formula used to calculate utility fees caused many residents to be overbilled for city services.

On-going communication issues, aired during public council meetings, make the city look unprofessional and may hinder outside investment.

We believe there is a better way.

Alexander City has a lot of people on its payroll, a lot of money to manage, a lot of very important services to carry out and a complex set of city codes and ordinances – a 6-inch thick three-ringed binder filled with decisions made by generations of elected officials – to follow.

We feel like it is in the best interest of our community to elect a council and mayor who make policy decisions and serve as the public face of our government and to hire a strong, experienced, highly educated city manager who is charged with creatively increasing city revenues, managing city expenses and making sure our city department heads are carrying out the directives of our elected officials within the confines of our city code.

We’re not looking at this through Pollyanna eyes. We understand that the effectiveness of a city manager is dependent on the individual hired. We also understand if the city hires someone who is not working out, the city manager form of government facilitates a quick change – a new manager can be hired without waiting an election cycle.

If you agree with us, visit The Outlook during business hours this week and sign a petition calling for a change to a city manager type of government in Alexander City.

For your signature to count, you must be a registered voter in Alexander City. You need to write your name on the petition, sign your name, write your address and a phone number or email address. And you need to show us your photo ID for verification.

That’s all there is to it.

Be part of the change.

Thursday, February 4, 2016

Hey, Governor! Where’s the revenue?!?

G

ov. Robert Bentley laid out an impressive laundry list of things he’d like to happen in Alabama in his State of the State address on Tuesday night.

But, when Bentley’s last syllable had faded to silence, one was left to ask, “Hey, Governor! Where’s the revenue?!?”

Only the most amnesic of Alabamians have forgotten last year’s General Fund debacle, which featured two special legislative sessions and threats of cuts to services from several state agencies. Still, Bentley spoke Tuesday night as if he’d won last month’s $1 billion lottery jackpot.

Here are a few of the things the governor said he wanted to get done: • Double the funding for Alabama’s First Class Pre-K program; • Use the Alabama Community College System to tutor and provide summerhelp programs, college visits and financial planning to make sure Alabama students can go to college and succeed and, if students meet certain requirements, pay for their two-year college tuition; • Provide rural and underserved communities access to high-speed, high-capacity broadband technology; • Completely transform the state prison system; and • Increase the number of doctors serving rural areas, especially in the state’s poorest counties.

Good ideas, all. A plan,

DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer

in fact, that anyone is hardpressed to find fault with. But in the same speech in which Bentley laid out this ambitious agenda, he also acknowledged the state’s poverty, which, unfortunately, extends beyond its citizenry to its government coffers.

Bentley, who also discussed his rural Alabama upbringing in the State of the State address, appears to have made a mistake that most rural Alabamians would readily recognize as problematic.

He has placed the cart squarely in front of the horse.

On the heels of last year’s drawn-out legislative efforts to pass a General Fund budget, it should be clear to all Alabamians that what the state is in the most dire need of is revenue. Last year, we saw driver license offices close, threats to close state parks and the removal of law enforcement personnel from our roadways when we couldn’t find money to fund these most basic state services.

It’s not that we don’t want Pre-K for all, help for our students, new and better prisons, better Internet service or more and better doctors.

We do.

But shouldn’t we be in a position to afford these things

first? Shouldn’t we concentrate on finding long-term revenue sources that will put our state in a position to do these things and do them right and over the long haul?

While Bentley did give a few vaguely general nods to ways money might be saved in a couple instances, his speech left the issue of longterm revenue streams wholly untouched. Perhaps the governor didn’t want to go there after his $541 million tax proposal announced in the 2015 State of the State tanked so spectacularly.

Bentley even has a name for the ambitious three-year plan he unveiled Tuesday night.

He called it the Great State 2019 Plan and it is meant to coincide with the state’s 200th birthday.

“In 1961, when President Kennedy challenged America to travel to space, no one knew how to land on the moon because no one ever had,” Bentley said. “Alabamians figured it out. Once again we accept an impossible challenge, and like our scientists in 1969, once again we will succeed.

“This is our moonshot.”

Gov. Bentley is correct.

Without revenue, the challenge he issued Tuesday night is impossible.

Unfortunately, it costs money – and quite a bit of it – to go to the moon.

Granger is a staff writer for The Outlook.

Today’s

Quote

“Good, better, best. Never let it rest ‘til your good is your better and your better is your best.”

– St. Jerome

Today’s

Scripture “For the Lord is the one who shaped the moutains, stirs up the winds, and reveals his thoughts to mankind. He turns the light of dawn into darkness and treads on the heights of the earth. The Lord God of Heaven’s armies is his name!

–Amos 4:13

alexcityoutlook.com

Daily Poll Wednesday Question: Does your family have an emergency preparedness plan?

Yes - 9 No - 19

Thursday Question: Who do you think will win 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

Letter to the Editor

Reader takes exception to shots at military career Dear Editor, Readers will be happy to know this is my last word to Billy Sellers, at least for now.

Billy, I didn’t expect you to explain why you thought it necessary to “put people on notice” that business owners and government officials who apply the law and ban guns in their facilities are somehow more liable for whatever might happen because patrons aren’t armed.

And you didn’t explain, so

I hadn’t planned to respond… until I read your pot shot at my 30-year Army career. That ticked me off.

Billy, I know you are a fine pediatrician…but I doubt you can read minds, at least not mine.

The fact is, you really don’t know anything about my military career or how I responded to higher authority, and I submit that making assumptions and generalizations about a person isn’t particularly helpful.

We are in agreement that the country is in trouble, although probably not to the same degree. However, I’m old enough to remember that every generation seems to think the state of the nation is worsening.

Ah, the good old days…some of which probably weren’t so good.

Dick Bronson Alexander City

Reader: Archer conduct has been a disgrace Dear Editor, I am calling for the Justice Department to arrest Leon Archer and bring him up on criminal charges.

His conduct has been a disgrace to that office.

Instead of him doing the people’s business like his office is meant for, he is using the office to commit crimes.

He said he was lead into this embarrassing situation by whom?

Everything I read was you are the instigator.

Everyone cannot serve. It takes a person that is dedicated to the oath that they take to be a good server.

Mrs. Gloria Sinclair was a server of that high seat and was a great one at it. She worked hard, loved everybody. I hate to see her go. I told her we were going to replace her with another great server, Mr. Charles Gillenwaters, but Leon Archer ran a low down race against him.

He went as far as taking down all of Mr. Gillenwaters signs. He made history in an ugly way. He blocked a good hard working honest man that was worthy to serve that office like Mrs. Sinclair.

Now this man has shamed Tallapoosa County and many others. This is what happens when people elect their buddy instead of a qualified person.

Leon Archer knows how to talk to people on

Facebook. I talk to people all the time. I talk to married people and single, but I know where my place is.

You are a married man for 47 years. You know you knew where your place was.

There is going to be criminal charges brought and to tell the woman after she asks is it illegal for someone who hold elected county office to ask for sexual favors in exchange for money and ask the person to call you on your cell phone private line while they are at work? And you tell her not if she calls your personal cell.

This is outrageous. The office of the probate judge belongs to the citizens of Tallapoosa County and who ever holds that seat is held to a higher standard.

It is for business only. Those cell phone messages should have never taken place in the office.

But charges are coming cause this is the people’s house and we are calling on the Justice Department to take legal action and for giving out advice on how to talk on Facebook to friends. I think it’s a little late for all that wouldn’t you think?

It’s not the friend you talk to cause if it were you know how to unfriend them.

Just man up.

Arlean Wyckoff Alexander City

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 50 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.

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) 2346550 or e-mailed to editor@alexcityoutlook.com. Please include your name, address and phone number.

Send us your thoughts today!

Follow us

On the Web

Follow The Outlook on the Internet on our website or on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Log on to http://www.alexcityoutloook.com.

There you will be able to view stories and multimedia posted by The Outlook. You can also click on the Facebook link to join The Outlook’s fan club or click on the Twitter link to start receiving tweets on your phone as we post updates. You can also subscribe to our RSS (Rich Site Summary) feed on the Outlook’s home page. Check it out today.

Thursday, February 4, 2016

Meth

GET TO KNOW THOSE WHO KEEP YOU SAFE First responders work to keep area residents safe

Alexander City and Tallapoosa County have many different law enforcement agencies ready to respond to various emergencies in the area.

Police Department

The Alexander City Police Department is located at 1 Court Square in downtown Alexander City.

The ACPD has 49 sworn-in police officers and 18 civilian personnel that include data processors, evidence technicians, dispatch, maintenance workers, and corrections officers.

Willie Robinson is the police chief of the ACPD, and Jay Turner is the department’s deputy chief.

Division heads for the ACPD include Capt. Tommy Lovett, detectives division; Capt. Fred Roth, administrative and Capt. Greg Pike, patrol division.

Along with patrolling the city in cars, the ACPD includes criminal investigations capabilities, a Crime Prevention Unit, Animal Control Services, D.A.R.E. Operations, Special Response Group, S.W.A.T. Operations, a Traffic Unit and Community Safety Operations.

Fire Department

The Alexander City Fire Department has two fire stations located in the city. ACFD Fire Station 1 is located at 38 Court Square in Downtown Alexander City behind the police department.

Station 2 is located at the top of River Hill off U.S.

Ongoing Events TAX FILING ASSISTANCE: Starting Jan. 25 there will be free tax and electronic tax filing assistance at Volunteer Connections of Central Alabama.

IRS certified volunteers will provide free assistance to seniors over 60 with no income limit and those under age 60 with incomes less than $54,000. Taxpayers will be assisted in the order they are registered.

You need to bring last year’s tax return, photo ID Social Security Cards, W-2’s, 1099’s and SSA. If you have insurance through the government marketplace, bring your 1095A. All employed taxpayers should bring a copy of their year end pay stub.

Dates for VCCA are Jan. and Feb. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., March on Mondays and Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and April 1 to April 18 Mondays Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

DISNEY WORLD TRIP: The Learning Community Outreach Initiative is sponsoring a trip to Disney World March 20-24. All who are interested should contact Rico Kelly at 256-794-0397 or Wanda Zachery at 256-794-3365.

WOMAN MEETING: Every first Sunday, Victory Temple Holiness Church hosts a woman’s meeting, at 237 Aster St. in Dadeville. Everyone is invited. The meeting starts at 2 p.m.

READY TO WORK: Ready to Work is a FREE jobs skills training program offered at Central Alabama Community College Career Center. Classes meet Monday through Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. until noon. Completion of the program depends on the skill level of the individual. For more information contact Elaine Balint, instructor, at 256215-4496 (leave message) or ebalint@cacc.edu.

OFFICE CAREERS: The Office Careers Technology program is funded by the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and was created to help dislocated workers learn new employable skills.

To qualify for the programs be a dislocated worker (layoff) or a low income family. Anyone interested in the classes should contact the Alexander City Career Center @ 256-215-4494 and ask about the WIOA program. Most all dislocated workers automatically qualify for financial assistance.

The program is 52 weeks and is open entry/open exit.

Students learn at their own pace in a non-traditional classroom setting. Classes begin when students are approved and they may leave when they receive any or all of the certificates offered. Classes are Monday--Thursday, 8:00 a.m.--3:00 p.m. (with a lunch break). All textbooks and class materials are supplied.

Certificates available are receptionist, inventory clerk, data entry clerk, administrative assistant, accounting office clerk, medical office clerk, legal office clerk.

CELEBRATE RECOVERY: Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered ministry designed to help hurting people.

It is made up of regular folks who are on a journey toward wholeness; seeking recovery from life’s hurts, habits, and hang-ups. We meet every Monday at Vertical Point Church, 860 Airport Drive, Alex City. We begin with dinner at 5:45, followed by large group at 6:15 & small groups at 7:15.

Childcare is provided. Everyone is welcome. For more info, call Mike at 256-496-4664.

BEYOND TRANSFORMATIONS: Meetings every second Saturday. Have you been wanting to give back, work with youth, or be a part of a group that makes a difference?

Please email iamtransforms@gmail.com or Call at 334-4406539. Donations of clothes, food, books, computers, school supplies. A building and donations are needed.

AMERICAN LEGION: Post 339 in Cottage Grove is open every Friday night from 8 p.m. until with fried chicken and fish. Music from the 70s, 80s, and 90s.

SCV MEETING:The Sons of Confederate Veterans meets every third Tuesday night at 7 p.m. at J.R.’s Sports Bar & Grill. Visitors are welcome.

BIBLE STUDY: Come join the Auburn Woman’s Satellite Day Bible Study Fellowship. We’re currently registering ladies interested in studying Revelations.

The course, study guides, seminars and lecture notes are free. This is interdenominational and open to all women at Parkway Baptist Church Holliday Hall, 766 East University Drive, Auburn. We meet on Thursdays from 10 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. We will love to have you there. Bible knowledge is not required. Come learn, share, and fellowship. For further information, contact Tricia at 334-5461386. For further information on Bible Study Fellowship go to https://www.bsfinternational.org.

AMATEUR RADIO CLUB: The Lake Martin Amateur Radio Club meets from 6 to 7 p.m. the second Thursday of every month at the Alexander City Airport Terminal Building with dinner and fellowship following at a local area restaurant. Amateur radio license exams are available after the meeting by prior arrangement. The club also meets on the

Page 5

www.alexcityoutlook.com

The Outlook

Cliff Williams / The Outlook

Tallapoosa County Sheriff Jimmy Abbett runs a department that features 12 deputies, nine dispatchers, 25 corrections officers, and six investigators.

Highway 280.

The ACFD has 68 firefighters and 42 paramedics and consists of a fire suppression team with 13 firefighters per 24-hour shift.

The fire department also contains the Emergency Medical Services director, a fire marshal, fire inspector, and also possess HAZMAT training. Kem Jones is the fire chief and Gary Poe and Reece McAlister serve as deputy chiefs.

Sheriff’s Department

The Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Department is located at 316 Industrial Park Drive in Dadeville and serves as a full- service law enforcement agency for Tallapoosa County. The department has an additional office located in Alexander City.

The sheriff’s department is responsible for emergency call response, prisoner transport, conducting criminal investigations, courthouse security and overseeing the Tallapoosa County Jail. The department has 12 deputies, nine dispatchers, 25 corrections officers, and six investigators.

Jimmy Abbett is the sheriff of the Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Department and David McMichael is the chief deputy.

Blake Jennings is the jail administrator.

air (Alabama Emergency Net Victor) on the first, third, fourth and fifth Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. on the club sponsored K4YWE repeater at 145.33 mhz with the 146.96 repeater as backup. All interested can attend our meetings or contact Tim Mayfield K4CWL at 256-329-1172 or John Phillips WI4P at 256-212-4063 CAR SHOW: Lake Martin Street Rods and Classic Cars meet every 3rd Saturday at Buck’s Dairy Quick in Alexander City from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Call Danny at (256) 4960024 for more information.

TALLAPOOSA PATRIOTS: The Tallapoosa Patriots meet the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Professional Commons. For more information contact Sherry Sellers at thyra899@gmail.com or at 256-234-2528.

DEMENTIA SUPPORT GROUP: The Emily Gilbert Dementia Support Group for family and caregivers meets the third Monday of every month in the community room at Russell Medical Center from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. It is sponsored by the Russell Medical Auxiliary. For more information call volunteer services office at 256-329-7177.

FREE SUPPORT GROUP: GriefShare, a grief recovery support group, will meet each Tuesday from 6 until 8 p.m. at the Reception Center of Radney Funeral Home in Alexander City. There is also a meeting on Tuesday at the Tallapoosa County Baptist Association from 10 a.m. to noon. This seminar is offered without cost to participants, and sponsored by Radney Funeral Home and Rocky Creek Baptist Church. For further information and registration, call Larry Cummings at 256-397-2511.

WEIGHT WATCHERS: The group meets each Monday evening in the fellowship hall of First United Methodist Church on Green Street in Alexander City. The Fellowship Hall is located behind the sanctuary. Registration is 5- 5:30 p.m. Meeting is 5:30-6 p.m. New members will want to stay after the meeting for a 15-minute Weight Watchers orientation.

continued from page 1

blocking unlawful purchase of medications containing pseudoephedrine (PSE) at the pharmacy counter.

Additionally, NPLEx provides law enforcement officers and narcotics agents valuable information such as “watch lists” that notify them via email when a meth suspect attempts to purchase PSE. This information can then be subpoenaed by prosecutors as they build cases and put drug criminals behind bars.

“We have had numerous occasions where a sale has been blocked and we were notified,” Abbett said. “With that notification our investigators, and the Tallapoosa County Narcotics Task Force in particular, will go out for a knock and talk with the individual. There have been a number of times where they have discovered meth and other drugs as a result.

“Those all started with that alert from the system. So it is proving to be valuable to us.”

In 2013 there were 606 purchases blocked in Tallapoosa County. In 2014, the number was 461.

Abbett said that shows the program is having an impact.

Over 44,000 retailers nationwide report PSE sales to NPLEx, and in 2015, the system successfully blocked the illegal sale of 2,239,961 boxes of medications containing PSE, preventing 5,848,806 grams of PSE from getting in the hands of potential criminals. Some states have also supplemented NPLEx by using the technology to ban the sale of any PSE products to those previously convicted of a meth crime. In Alabama and Oklahoma, similar legislation was passed in 2012 and 2013, respectively, and these states experienced significant declines in meth lab seizures – 77 percent in Alabama and 88 percent in Oklahoma.

The breakdown by state in the report shows the total number of boxes reported as purchased, the total number of grams reported as purchased, the total number of boxes and grams that were blocked based on state and federal laws, and the total number of unique individuals reported as purchasing over-the-counter PSE. These numbers indicate the laws that are being enforced by NPLEx at the point-of-sale, in real-time, and across state lines.

“In 2015, NPLEx continued to be an important resource by preventing PSE from getting into the hands of criminals across the U.S.,” said NADDI Executive Director Charles Cichon. The technology is invaluable for law enforcement officers and pharmacists in the fight against methamphetamine. From blocking illegal sales to preventing drug offenders from purchasing PSE to prosecuting drug criminals, the system is a proven resource that 32 states use to help reduce the illegal purchase and diversion of PSE.”

256-329-1313 Free Consultations 217 Madison Street, Alexander City, AL “We are a Debt Relief Agency. We help people file Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 under the Bankruptcy Code. Alabama State Bar requires the following in every attorney advertisement, “ No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.”

+

+ Buy

Here + Pay Here + + CLEAN USED CARS No Credit Checks

Cars• Vans• Trucks • SUV’s

Midway Auto,Inc.

Off Hwy. 280 • Alexander City, AL (On Right Past the River Bridge)

256.825.9830

R e fe r a Fri e n d!

SUBSCRIPTION DEAL! For every friend you refer who subscribes, we will add 2 months FREE to your newspaper subscriptions.

Please contact David Kendrick at 256-234-4281 for more information.

548 Cherokee Rd., Alexander City, AL 35010

Page 6

www.alexcityoutlook.com

CommunityCalendar Today is February 4, 2016 SERVING LUNCH IN THE CAFÉ Tuesday - Saturday 11am-1:30pm

ŽŽ Œ¥ Œ—— ŽšŒ š—“šŽ ª“¤’

Today’s Events

BASEBALL/SOFTBALL REGISTRATION: The Alexander City Baseball/Softball Registration will be at Radney Elementary School Thursday, Feb. 4 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Cost is $75. Late registration will be Monday, Feb. 8 from

Thursday, February 4, 2016

The Outlook

5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Sportplex Baseball Tower at a cost of $100.

BASEBALL SOFTBALL TBALL REGISTRATION: Dadeville Dixie Youth will have registration for baseball, softball and t-ball Feb. 4 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Dadeville Recreation Center. 7-12 year old baseball and softball is $60 and 3-6 year old T-ball is $45. Payment and a copy of the child’s birth certificate must be presented at registration.

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/.

Today’s Anniversary

Willie and Barbara Tidwell are celebrating their anniversry today.

Today’s Birthdays

Eddie Johnson Sr., Jimmy Parker, Ida Mae Tuck, Brandy Melton, Jarkia Payne, and Amie Lee Fox are celebrating their birthdays today.

HOLLEY’S HOME FURNISHINGS

We Dare You To Compare!

1660 Hwy. 22 West Alexander City, AL

www.emporiumwine.net (256) 212-9463 Tue-Fri: 10-5 Sat: 10-2

256.234.4141

***

www.holleyshomefurnishings.com

128 Calhoun Street Historic Downtown Alexander City

Visit us online at:

“£“¤ ÂŚÂĄ Š—–ဖ š ÂŚÂ˜Â“Â?ÂœÂĄ

FOOT Specialties

Need your business to

STAND OUT

Dr. Douglas Stewart Alexander City, AL

from the crowd?

256-215-5596

Call us, we can help!

American Board of Podiatric Surgery CertiÂżed Diabetic Shoes Hospital Surgeries Total Nail Care Hammertoes, Bunions, Corns and Calluses Sports Injuries

Need Insurance?

Call me.

256.234.4281

Mitch Sneed / The Outlook

The window in front of The Lake Martin Area United Way Office shows exactly how the agency feels about its donors who have pushed this year’s campaign toward its goal. The wrap-up event to announce final results is set for March 10.

February 5

BASEBALL/SOFTBALL REGISTRATION: The Alexander City Baseball/Softball Registration will be at Radney Elementary School Friday, Feb. 5 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Cost is $75. Late registration will be Monday, Feb. 8 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Sportplex Baseball Tower at a cost of $100.

SOCCER REGISTRATION: Alexander City Youth Soccer will host registration Feb. 5 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m at the Sportplex Gym.

February 6

256.234.3481 KarenChannell.com

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

The FANS HEAR You!

BASEBALL/SOFTBALL REGISTRATION: The Alexander City Baseball/Softball Registration will be at Radney Elementary School Saturday, Feb. 6 from 8 a.m. to noon. Cost is $75. Late registration will be Monday, Feb. 8 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Sportplex Baseball Tower at a cost of $100.

DADEVILLE KIWANIS PANCAKE BREAKFAST: Sat. Feb. 6 from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. the Dadeville Kiwanis Club is having a pancake breakfast for $6.

Tickets are available all over town.

BASEBALL SOFTBALL TBALL REGISTRATION: Dadeville Dixie Youth will have registration for baseball, softball and t-ball Feb. 6 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Dadeville Recreation Center. 7-12 year old baseball and softball is $60 and 3-6 year old T-ball is $45. Payment and a copy of the child’s birth certificate must be presented at registration.

VALENTINE’S BASH: A Youth Valentine’s Day Bash for ages 5-18 will be held Saturday, February 6, 2016 from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. at the Cooper Rec. Center. Buy your tickets in advance for $5.00 or at the door for $7.00. Refreshments included with the ticket price. Special Guest DJ and Photographer. Sponsored by the Parents of Regeneration Dance Team.

Advanced tickets can be purchased by calling Elizabeth Harris at 256-7502025.

February 7

PASTOR ANNIVERSARY: New Harmony Missionary Baptist Church in Camp Hill will celebrate it’s 7th Pastor’s Anniversary honoring Rev. and Sister Melvin C. Kelley, Jr. Sunday, Feb. 7 at 2 p.m.

Small Space Advertising Works! call the

Advertising Dept.

256.234.4281

Many a small thingg

largge... hhasass been beeen mmade ade

...with the right kind of advertising.

February 8

HORIZONS UNLIMITED: Troy Jones will be the speaker for Horizons Unlimited Feb. 8 at the Alexander City Board of Education from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.

BASEBALL SOFTBALL TBALL REGISTRATION: Dadeville Dixie Youth will have registration for baseball, softball and t-ball Feb. 8 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Dadeville Recreation Center. 7-12 year old baseball and softball is $60 and 3-6 year old T-ball is $45. Payment and a copy of the child’s birth certificate must be presented at registration.

February 9

BASEBALL SOFTBALL TBALL REGISTRATION: Dadeville Dixie Youth will have registration for baseball, softball and t-ball Feb. 9 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Dadeville Recreation Center. 7-12 year old baseball and softball is $60 and 3-6 year old T-ball is $45. Payment and a copy of the child’s birth certificate must be presented at registration.

February 10

256.234.4281

IMPOSITION OF ASHES: Alexander City First United Methodist Church and Flint Hill United Methodist

Church will have drive thru imposition of ashes at the old Mandolin Cafe on Cherokee Road Feb. 10 from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.

ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE: Red Ridge United Methodist Church will observe Ash Wednesday on Wednesday February 10. Re. Messer will be at the church 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

February 11

BASEBALL SOFTBALL TBALL REGISTRATION: Dadeville Dixie Youth will have registration for baseball, softball and t-ball Feb. 11 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Dadeville Recreation Center. 7-12 year old baseball and softball is $60 and 3-6 year old T-ball is $45. Payment and a copy of the child’s birth certificate must be presented at registration.

PATH FINDERS: The next meeting of PATH FINDERS will be on Feb. 11 at noon in the United Way conference room, Main Street, downtown Alexander City. Please join us and help us make strides in 2016 to improve the lives of individuals dealing with dementia in the Lake Martin area.

February 11 - February 27

WETUMPKA DEPOT PLAYERS: Steel Magnolias will be presented by the Wetumpka Depot Players Feb. 11- Feb. 27. For ticket information call 334-868-1140 or go to wetumpkadepot. com.

February 12

SOCCER REGISTRATION: Alexander City Youth Soccer will host registration Feb. 12 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m at the Sportplex Gym.

9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the United Way Conference Room.

February 18

FREEDMEN’S BUREAU PROJECT: The Adelia M. Russell Memorial Library will be hosting a project on the Freedmen’s Bureau Project Feb. 18 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Learn how to index rare Freedmen’s Bureau records from 1865-1868. These records, which include the names of millions of freed slaves, will be available to the public for the first time when the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture opens this fall in Washington DC. The records will be online and free for everyone to learn about their family histories.

February 20

PANCAKE BREAKFAST: The Alexander City Kiwanis Club is hosting its annual pancake breakfast Feb. 20 from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the BRHS Lunchroom.

The breakfast is all you can eat and there will be Conecuh Sausage.

Tickets are $6 each.

TRADE DAY: The Bibb Grave School will hosts a trade day Feb. 20 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Alexander City Outlook Dadeville Record Wetumpka Herald Eclectic Observer Tallassee Tribune

Season Speaks Express Blowout • Highlight Ombre • Gloss • Color Make-Up • Keratin Adult & Children Hair Cuts Bridal & Bachelorette Packages 792 Commerce Drive Suite 103 Alexander City, AL

256.234.2007 256.749.8804

Small Space Advertising Works.

February 21

ANNUAL FRIENDS AND FAMILY DAY: Great Bethel Missionary Baptist Church is hosting its annual friends and family day Sunday, Feb. 21 at 10:30 a.m.

Special guest and church is Rev. Wayne Cowhick, pastor of Alexander City Methodist Church.

February 22

HORIZONS UNLIMITED: Julie Williams will be the speaker for Horizons Unlimited Feb. 22 at the VALENTINE�S DAY SEMINAR: There will be a seminar Feb. 13 from 6 Alexander City Board of Education to 9 p.m. at The Arbor to celebrate mar- from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. riage. The night will include dinner, door prizes and the Date Night Challenge.

February 27 The video by comedians Dr. Greg FAMILY BINGO NIGHT: The Bibb and Erin Smalley will allow couples to Graves School is hosting a family bingo learn how to recognize why marriage night Feb. 27 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. is valuable, to invest in their marriage POLAR PLUNGE: Wind Creek and join a community that is for their State Park will host its Polar Bear Leap marriage. for Leap Year Feb. 27 at 2 p.m.

There is no cost.

Participates should meet at the If you are interested, call Megan beach. Park entrance fees apply to Sanders at 256-827-9127 or Angelia non-campers.

Windsor at 256-827-9226.

SOCCER REGISTRATION: February 29 Alexander City Youth Soccer will host HORIZONS UNLIMITED: Jerry registration Feb. 13 from 9 a.m. to Armor will be the speaker for Horizons noon at the Sportplex Gym. Unlimited Feb. 29 at the Alexander City BASEBALL SOFTBALL TBALL Board of Education from 1:30 p.m. to REGISTRATION: Dadeville Dixie 3 p.m.

Youth will have registration for baseball, softball and t-ball Feb. 13 from 9 a.m.

March 7 to noon at the Dadeville Recreation HORIZONS UNLIMITED: Susan Center. 7-12 year old baseball and softball is $60 and 3-6 year old T-ball is Webb will be the speaker for Horizons $45. Payment and a copy of the child’s Unlimited March 7 at the Alexander City Board of Education from 1:30 p.m. birth certificate must be presented at to 3 p.m. registration.

VALENTINE’S BANQUET: Sixth Street Baptist Church is having March 12 it’s annual Valentine’s Banquet on CLASS MEETING: The Laurel Saturday, February 13, at 6:00 p.m.

High School Class of 1969 is meeting in the church gymnasium. Special Sat. March 12 at 10 a.m. at Cooper entertainment for the evening will be Recreation Center. comedy by Mutzie, a clean Christian comedian from the New Orleans area.

March 15 Cost for dinner is $10 per person and MEETING: The Artist Association of includes your choice of steak, chicken East Alabama will meet March 15 from breast, or hamburger steak along with 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the United sides, salad, and dessert. Space is Way Conference Room. limited and all registrations must be received by Sunday, February 7. To March 19 register, please call the church office at EGG HUNT: Wind Creek State Park 256-234-2408 or email Ginger Young at will host an Easter Egg Hunt March 19 gyoung@sixthstreetbaptistchurch.com. at 10 a.m. in the North Picnic area.

There will be prize eggs.

February 16 For ages under 2, 2 to 4 5 to 8 and MEETING: The Artist Association of 9 to 12.

East Alabama will meet Feb. 16 from

February 13

• • • • •

For Consistent Advertising

at Low Rates...

call the Advertising Department

256.234.4281 We will deliver the Lake Region’s News to your door

Daily, Weekly or Monthly

SUBSCRIBE TODAY! Take advantage of our Magazine Subscription Special and get both LAKE Magazine and Lake Martin Living for the low price of . . . $4500

Call 256-234-4281 or stop by our ofĂšce at 548 Cherokee Road, Alexander City, AL

SEE ME FOR INSURANCE

Harold Cochran 256.234.2700 haroldcochran.b2cn@statefarm.com

Thursday, February 4, 2016

Page 7

www.alexcityoutlook.com

The Outlook

Reaction to ‘Chelsea Does’ racism mostly negative

By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer

The Netflix original four part docuseries “Chelsea Does” began streaming Saturday. In the series the former late-night talk show host takes a look at marriage, Silicon Valley, drugs and racism.

For her racism series Handler travels the world, pointing out how people tend to self-segregate. In her travels for the series Handler visited Tallassee during the Tallassee Now event last year.

In the Chelsea Does Racism series Jeanna Kervin with the Talisi Historical Society spoke to Handler on camera about her heritage.

However, Kervin said Handlers “handlers” misled her before being interviewed.

“Her handlers came about 30 minutes before she did and they asked us if we wanted to talk to her,” she said.

“We were told she was doing a documentary on barbeque and that she wanted to talk about the South some.”

Before agreeing to speak to Handler, Kervin said she made it clear that she did not want to paint Tallassee in a bad light.

“I even told them, a lot of people like to come in and poke fun of people from the South and if that’s what it’s about, I don’t want any part

of it,” she said. “The whole interview process was based on a lie.”

One important piece of history and prejudice Handler completely overlooked in the series addressing race was the deep Native American history Tallassee holds.

Tallassee, or Talisi as the Native American’s named it, was one of four Creek capitols in the South. The Native American history in Tallassee predates the racism Handler came to Tallassee looking for.

“Right beside our booth, the Talisi Historical Society booth, was a Native American encampment,” Kervin said. “One of our Native American re-enactors, he’s nationally known and he’s well versed on Native Americans. She (Handler) asked him one question and it was about that (slavery).”

Kervin said she believes Handler came to Tallassee with an agenda.

“That’s all she was focused on,” Kervin said.

Since the release Jan. 23 Kervin has not watched the series and has no intention of doing so.

“I haven’t watched the video and I don’t intend to watch it,” she said.

“I can just imagine what it is. I know people who have watched it and told me about, it’s very insulting. I think we’re all proud of our Southern heritage and I don’t want to see someone

Winston’s Law taken up by Senate Judiciary Committee ByJOHN PEELER Managing Editor

The Alabama Judiciary Committee gave unanimous favorable consent Wednesday to the Aggravated Child Abuse bill, known as Winston’s Law. The bill is expected to be on the Senate Special Order Calendar Feb. 9.

“I am so pleased this bill has made its way through the Senate Judiciary and will soon be up for a vote on the floor. With the momentum we have established and the interest shown by legislators, we could possibly see the bill passed into law by Thursday of next week,” Elmore County District Attorney Randall Houston wrote in a press release.

Currently, aggravated child abuse is a Class B felony. Winston’s Law, if passed, would make aggravated child abuse a Class A felony for victims that are 6 years old or younger.

The punishment for a Class B felony ranges from 2-20 years to life in prison. If the Law passes and aggravated child abuse becomes a Class A felony, the punishment range would be from 10-99 years to life in prison.

Houston said the law, if passed would aid in severe cases of child abuse.

“It means having an extra tool in our bag where to use in cases where we have a severe case of child abuse like we have in this case,” he said.

Winston’s Law is named for a Wetumpka, then a 4 year old, who was the victim in a September aggravated child abuse case.

Winston was found unresponsive in the back of a vehicle owned by Scott Hicks in Bay County, Florida, where Hicks was appearing on unrelated warrants. Hicks was charged with aggravated child abuse.

“No child should ever have to suffer abuse at the hand of anybody,” Houston said. “We have laws in place to handle most of those situations and for most of those situations the laws are adequate; however, when you are talking about a child that’s from age infant up to age six, they are the least able to defend themselves and protect themselves. So, that’s what this law is for. We are doing it to protect the youngest and most vulnerable.”

Winston’s mother, Halee McLeod, has been indicted in Elmore County on charges of aggravated child abuse and chemical endangerment of a child. Both Hicks and McLeod are Wetumpka residents and investigations have revealed the earlier child abuse occurred in Wetumpka.

“The punishment for what happened to Winston appears to be inadequate compared to both the emotional and physical trauma he (Winston) he has probably sustained from it,” Houston said.

McLeod remains in the Elmore County Jail under bonds totaling $300,000If passed, If passed, Winston’s Law will not be in effect for his case, since the arrests and charges against Hicks and McLeod occurred before the law was enacted.

Winston, Houston said, is with his father and “doing fine.”

“He’s a happy, active 5 year old now,” Houston said. “He still has some surgeries and medical stuff he has to go through, but he’s handling it like a trooper.”

Rep. Paul Beckman and Sen. Clyde Chambliss are sponsoring the Winston’s Law bill in addition to being endorsed by The District Attorneys Association of Alabama.

making fun of what we hold dear.

Our heritage is a good and strong heritage and we should be proud of it. “ Furthermore, Kervin said she wants it to be clear that in no way was the intention to cast Tallassee into a negative light.

“If anything, I said was used to embarrass Tallassee I would be very brokenhearted,” Kervin said. “She (Handler) was intentionally trying to divide and cause strife.”

Pastor Adolphus Gauntt, was born and raised in Tallassee and was in the first grade when the Tallassee school systems integrated. ”It was a little strange, at first. But today, I am still friends with a lot of my white class mates.”

Gauntt has resided in Tallassee all of his life and said he believes Tallassee treats people of all ethnicities equally.

“Look at me, I was president of the Tallassee Rotary Club and I was voted in by an all white committee,” he said. “This is not a racist town.

She (Handler) came here for one reason, money,” he said.

Gauntt points out Handler is making money every time the show is watched.

“She is getting what she wanted File / The Outlook right now, by us watching this,” Chelsea Handler at the Tallassee Now event where she interGauntt said. viewed people about slavery and southern heritage.

s k r a Sp ll Fly i W Now h g u thro 4 1 . b e F

Subscription Special!

Treat your loved one to a 3-month subscripton of:

$

99

for just 29

Stop By Our Office Or Call David To Receive This Special Offer.

Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. 548 Cherokee Road 256.234.4281

Page 8

www.alexcityoutlook.com

The force is strong with social security

“T

here’s been an awakening. Have you felt it?”

This winter, Americans of all generations are awakening to the newest film in the Star Wars franchise, Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Many readers probably remember seeing the first Star Wars film in theaters in 1977. Audiences watched with fascination at the advanced technology used by the Jedi and Sith in a galaxy far, far away.

We still don’t have interstellar travel, personal robots, or holographic communication, but we now use technology in our daily lives that would have seemed like science fiction in 1977. At that time, it would still be years until the modern Internet and smart phones would be part of our lives. Now, many of us can’t imagine life without such technology.

Many people who need to do business with Social Security are finding an awakening of sorts in how easy it is to use our online services. We continually expand our online services to reflect changing customer needs, and to provide you with world-class service that would even have interplanetary traveler Han Solo saying, “Chewie, we’re home.” Our online services are convenient and secure, and allow you to conduct much of your business with us from the comfort of your home, office, or space freighter. (Not all services are available in all galaxies).

For instance, you can use our website at www.socialsecurity.gov to apply for retirement, spouse’s, or disability benefits online. You can also apply for Medicare andExtra

KYLLE’D MCKINNEY

STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

Help with your Medicare prescription drug costs on our website. We also have online benefit planners to help you estimate your future retirement, disability, and survivors benefits.

You can open a free personal online my Social Security account, where you can keep track of your annual earnings and verify them.

Why is that important? Because your future benefits are based on your annual earnings. With your account, you can also get an estimate of your future benefits if you are still working; or, if you currently receive benefits, you can use your account to manage your benefits, and get an instant letter with proof of your benefits. You can also request a Medicare card replacement.

“The force is calling to you. Just let it in.” This winter, check out our online services and join the millions of other Americans who have already awakened their own personal my Social Security accounts.

A my Social Security account is a force to be reckoned with. And you don’t need to be a Jedi to have one.

Learn more at www.socialsecurity.gov. Once you go online, this force will be with you … always.

McKinney is a public affairs specialist with Alabama Social Security.

We have nine publications covering the lake & river region.

256.234.4281

Advocates renew call for expansion of First Class Pre-K Alabama Pre-K task force pushes for $20 million increase in FY2017

Alabama Social Security

GOT NEWS?

Coming March 2016

Thursday, February 4, 2016

The Outlook

MONTGOMERY – As the 2016 Alabama Legislative session approached its Tuesday opening, a businessled coalition of pre-k advocates called on state leaders to increase funding for Alabama’s First Class Pre-K program by $20 million in Fiscal Year 2017.

If appropriated, the $20 million increase would increase the total amount of funding for the state’s high-quality, voluntary pre-kindergarten from $48.5 million to $68.5 million.

The $20 million funding increase is one of a series of recommendations proposed today by the Alabama School Readiness Alliance’s Pre-K Task Force in order to fully fund First Class Pre-K by 2023 while maintaining the program’s strong benchmarks for quality and accountability. Currently, only 20 percent of the state’s four-year-olds have access. Combined with funding from year two of Alabama’s fouryear federal Preschool Development Grant, a $20 million increase would add approximately 210 new classrooms and help enroll approximately 3,800 additional four-yearolds in the 2016-2017 school year.

“We still have a long-way to go before every family that chooses to enroll their child in the state’s high-quality, voluntary First Class Pre-K program will have an

BIG IDEAS. Small Towns,

A high-quality, coffee table magazine focused on Growing Beyond the Ordinary, Taking Care of Business and Improving Community life!

1

opportunity to do so,” said Mike Luce, Vice Chairman of Harbert Management and a cochair of the Alabama School Readiness Alliance’s Pre-K Task Force. “Alabama’s economy is improving and new revenue is expected to be available to fund education priorities. We encourage lawmakers to appropriate some of this increased revenue into expanding access to First Class Pre-K program.”

The ASRA Task Force, which consists of 51 prominent leaders from the business, education, civic, medical, legal, philanthropic, military and child advocacy communities, first proposed expanding pre-k access to all families in 2012.

That year the Task Force launched a tenyear campaign, now entering its fourth year, to advocate for incremental increases to fully fund the program by the 20222023 school year. The proposed $20 million increase is needed in FY2017 in order for the state to meet that target.

“It has been three years since the Alabama School Readiness Alliance first proposed increasing state funding for Alabama’s First Class Pre-K program,” said Bob Powers, president of The Eufaula Agency, chair of the Education & Workforce Committee of the Business Council of Alabama, and a cochair of the Alabama School Readiness

Alliance’s Pre-K Task Force. “Since then, lawmakers have generously increased funding every year, but $20 million is needed in Fiscal Year 2017 if state leaders want to stay on the track to fully fund First Class Pre-K by 2023.”

For nine-years in a row, Alabama’s First Class Pre-K program, which is managed by the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education, has been ranked the number one pre-kindergarten program in the country for quality by the independent National Institute for Early Education Research. Currently, four out of every five four-year-olds in Alabama are unable to participate in the program due to lack of funding.

In addition to the increased funding, the updated Task Force recommendations include: continuing the “diverse delivery” of First Class Pre-K classrooms in public schools, Head Start and private programs (including childcare and faith-based centers); requiring that all First Class Pre-K providers adhere to the program’s quality standards; and, prioritizing new classrooms for students most at-risk of school failure.

The 2016 Alabama School Readiness Alliance’s Pre-K Task Force’s Recommendations can be viewed in its entirety at: alabamaschoolreadiness.org/recommendations/

THE BEST OF WHO WE ARE

Innovative plans to further economic development.

COLLABORATION Partnerships marked for extended growth.

2

Small Towns, Big Ideas will include:

3

Leadership across all generations

Don’t miss this great opportunity to advertise your business to more than 10,000 readers for 12+ Months. To become a part of this publication, call your TPI Sales Representative at 256-234-4281 DISTRIBUTION: All Alexander City Outlook and Dadeville Record subscribers, with additional copies available all year to area Chambers, Lake Martin Area Economic Development Alliance, city and state governments, and other industries and organizations in the area to aid in their individual recruitment packages.

ClassiÄeds

Lake & River Phone (256) 277-4219 Fax (205) 669-4217 The Alexander City Outlook

Reaching more than 22,000 households in Tallapoosa and Elmore counties The Dadeville Record

classifieds@alexcityoutlook.com public.notices@alexcityoutlook.com classifieds@thewetumpkaherald.com public.notices@thewetumpkaherald.com

The Eclectic Observer

The Tallassee Tribune

The Wetumpka Herald

Thursday, February 4, 2016

The Outlook

www.alexcityoutlook.com

‘A WHOLE NEW WORLD’

Radney students put on classic two-night production of Disney’s ‘Aladdin’ starting tonight at Benjamin Russell.

Play

continued from page 1

night and by Brody Mann on Friday night. Jasmine will be played by Eloise Franklin on Thursday and Audrey Owens on Friday.

Admission for the production is $5.

“We usually just do one big production each year and this is it,” Phillips said. “In my six years as the club’s sponsor, we’ve also done ‘Seussical’(a musical based on Dr. Seuss), ‘Peter Pan,’ ‘Alice in Wonderland’ and ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas.’”

Aladdin is the story of a street urchin who falls in love with a beautiful princess and uses a genie’s power to make himself a prince so that he can marry her.

Phillips said Aladdin will run between 45 minutes and one hour and includes the musical numbers “One Jump Ahead,” “Friend Like Me,” “Prince Eli” and “A Whole New World.”

Jafar, above, played by Laney Beth Peters rehearses Wednesday night. Top, Aladdin played by Brody Mann is accused of stealing bread. Jafar, second from top, speaks to Aladdin in jail. The princess, played by Audrey Owens walks away from her father after learning who he has chosen for her to marry. Right, Aladdin is serenaded by the genies. The Radney Drama Club has been practicing for the production. The public can watch the students Thursday and Friday at 6 p.m. at the BRHS auditorium.

Photos by Cliff Williams

Page 11

ROBERT HUDSON SPORTS EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X228

sports@alexcityoutlook.com

Page 12

Thursday, February 4, 2016

www.alexcityoutlook.com

WILDCATS TRIO SIGN SCHOLARSHIPS Benjamin Russell’s Gray, Parker, Robinson taking talents to collegiate level

Robert Hudson / The Outlook

From left, Benjamin Russell High School seniors Justavious Robinson, Tyre Gray, and Anthony Parker each signed football scholarships during National Signing Day on Wednesday morning.

By ROBERT HUDSON Sports Editor

A trio of Benjamin Russell Wildcats got to realize a lifelong dream together on National Signing Day. Benjamin Russell seniors Tyre Gray, Justavious Robinson and Anthony Parker each signed football scholarships in front of family, friends and teammates on Wednesday.

Benjamin Russell Coach Danny Horn said it was not only athletic ability that got the trio to this point, but tremendous character on and off the field.

“There’s more to it than just being a great athlete. You’ve got to have a lot of character about yourself. I think these three have great character that’s going to last a lifetime,” Horn said. “I’m so proud of them. It’s a great honor and privilege for these parents and these players.”

Gray signs with Murray State

The leader behind center for the Wildcats for the past two seasons, Gray signed a scholarship with Murray State (Ky.) of the Ohio Valley Conference.

Gray said Wednesday was a lifelong dream come true.

“It’s a big day for me because this has always been one of my dreams to sign on signing day,” Gray said.

In 2015, Gray was 59-of-96 passing for 617 yards with 6 touchdowns in leading BRHS to a 12-2 finish in the state semifinals.

Gray also had 160 carries, rushing for 1,848 yards and 31 touchdowns on the ground.

While he lined up in the pistol offense at quarterback for BRHS, Gray said he is getting ready to make the transition to wide receiver at Murray State.

“They’re looking at me for either slot receiver or an outside receiver, and kick return and punt return, and a little Wildcat quarterback,” Gray said. “I think I’ll be ready

for it. It will be a little challenge to learn the basic things to play receiver, but once I keep doing it over and over I think I’ll get it.”

Gray said the 2015 Wildcats were a special group he is proud to have been a part of, and added he is thankful for everyone who has helped him get where he wants to be.

“This team has meant a lot to me because all of the people we played with, we grew up together and hung around each other before, during and after practice and Gray around school,” Gray said. “We had a good bond and that only got stronger as we went through the playoffs.

“I just want to thank God, my family and all of the coaches, all the fans and all my teammates who supported me throughout my entire career at Benjamin Russell.”

Parker headed to UWA

Tasked with protecting the quarterback’s blindside, Anthony Parker will be doing just that at the next level.

Parker signed with the University of West Alabama where he will play left tackle for the Tigers.

Parker said it is a special moment and while he is going to miss high school, he is thankful to be moving on to the collegiate level.

“It feels unreal. We all started off together playing in the city league and never thought I’d see this day with us signing,” Parker said. “It’s also a bittersweet moment because I’m going to miss high school football, but I know that God has pushed me on to better things in college, and

maybe, if God permits, go to the league one day.”

Parker had an 82 blocking grade, 110 knockdowns, and 25 pancake blocks for the Wildcats in 2015.

He said his coaches have prepared him well for the next level.

“My time here, it’s been good. Coach (Danny) Horn and Coach (Tal) Morrison, they really played a big role in me getting me better, stronger and faster Parker to go off and go to college,” Parker said.

“Hopefully, when I get there, I’m going to be stronger and faster.”

Parker said he will remember the 2015 team for its bond that began years and years ago on the little league fields.

“They’re really like my brothers because we’ve been together since we were 7 years old and this class right here won our first two championships in city league together,” Parker said. “They’re really like my brothers. We talk to each other every day and stuff like that. I really love this group. I want to thank Dr. Wilkinson, Coach Horn, all my football coaches: Coach Morrison, Chief, Greg Calhoun, Coach Smith and all the people who have been there to help me get my technique better.”

Robinson signs with Union College

After causing havoc for opposing offenses throughout his career, Justavious Robinson is looking to do just that at the collegiate level.

The senior defensive tackle will be headed to Union College (Ky.) after signing a

football scholarship.

Robinson said he is thankful for the opportunity to continue his playing career, as he did not fit the traditional mold of a defensive tackle standing 5’11” and weighing 245 pounds.

“It’s a big deal for me. I guess I wasn’t expecting to sign because of my height and everyt h i n g , ” Robinson said.

“It’s unreal.”

Robinson Robinson had 66 tackles, 50 assists, 26 tackles for loss and a pair of sacks in 2015.

While Robinson will play a bit of defensive line at the next level, he said he is set for the challenge of moving to linebacker.

“They recruited me to play defensive line, but most likely they said they’re going to have me starting at linebacker,” Robinson said. “It’s definitely going to be a challenge because I’ve never played a position where I’ve stood up. But I’m looking forward to new things.”

Robinson credited his teammates for their support throughout the years, and thanked his coaches for teaching him to have a high work ethic.

“We all grew up playing football together and we love each other. I’m going to hate leaving them,” Robinson said. “We’ve had a great support network here. I want to thank my middle school coach, Nick Hand, my position coach, Coach Wes Tate, for helping me with my technique and believing in myself, and Coach Horn, of course, for instilling in me that work ethic.”

Wildcats swept by Auburn play harder and go back to the basics.”

Dana Echols led Auburn with 18 points. Jaaliyah Caldwell The Benjamin Russell Lady led Benjamin Russell with 13 Wildcats found themselves trailpoints. ing early and spent the rest of the game playing from behind.

The Lady Wildcats lost 61-33 Tigers 64, Wildcats 24 A slow start ultimately to the Auburn High School Lady Tigers on Tuesday night in doomed the Wildcats on Tuesday night, as they fell 64-24 to the Alexander City.

Auburn jumped out to a 19-7 Auburn High School Tigers.

Auburn started the game on a lead in the first quarter and never looked back in Tuesday’s game. 13-0 run, as Benjamin Russell’s Benjamin Russell Coach first basket did not come until 41 Latreisha Moon said the Lady seconds left in the first quarter Wildcats (9-14) have to go back off a Myles Whetstone 3-pointer.

But that 3-pointer turned out to the basics with the area tourto be Benjamin Russell’s only nament on the horizon.

“They just have to play field goal of the first half, as harder because we did not play they went into halftime trailing hard at all,” Moon said. “We 35-6.

Benjamin Russell Coach Jeff didn’t rebound, we didn’t make layups, we didn’t do anything Hines said the Wildcats let a positive tonight. So, I just told lackluster offensive perforthem we’re going to have to mance affect their intensity on

By ROBERT HUDSON Sports Editor

the defensive end.

“There’s not one thing we can do about it. We didn’t shoot it well. We had good looks and could not knock them down,” Hines said. “One thing we did talk about is we can’t let what we do offensively affect what we do defensively. This is the first time in a lot of games this year that we allowed that to happen. You can say that Auburn shot it well, but I will turn that around and say that they did shoot it well because they weren’t defended.

That makes a difference.”

Preston Cook had 10 points for Auburn, while Tyre Gray had five points for Benjamin Russell.

“We’ve got to be willing to go the extra mile to be a championship player, and when you do that, that means you’re going to help your team be a championship team,” Hines said. “We’ve

Robert Hudson / The Outlook

Benjamin Russell’s Jaden Tuck (44) goes up for a shot attempt during Tuesday’s game against Auburn.

got to learn from this. We’ve got to move on from this, but we’ve got to learn from it first.

We talked about it in pre-game, it doesn’t matter if the opponent is 7A, 2A or 1A. In basketball, everyone can play with everyone, and in basketball you’ve

got to be ready to play your A-Game every night regardless of who the opponent is.”

The Wildcats will return to action on Friday with the girls game at 5:30 p.m. and the boys game at 7 p.m. in a Senior Night matchup against Central-Coosa.