BOONE: CITY NEEDS PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE, PAGE 4.
Weekend The Outlook
CVCC BOUND Local player signs softball deal, page 12.
NOW OPEN
New Sleep Center opens in Dadeville, see page 11
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
February 6-7, 2016 • Vol. 124 • No. 27 • www.alexcityoutlook.com
Task Force busts drug operation Drugs were being sold near high school, daycare By MITCH SNEED Editor
Tips from area residents about possible drug activity at a residence near Benjamin Russell High School led to the arrest of eight subjects on multiple drug charges. The Tallapoosa County Narcotics Task Force, Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Department and Alexander City Police Department executed search warrants at multiple residences in the Alexander City area, according to Sgt. Fred White of the Task Force. “When you have that kind of activity anytime it’s something that we take seriously,” White said. “But the fact that it was near a school and a
daycare center in that area, that makes it a priority for us.” White said that investigators began surveillance of the residence upon receiving the tip and eventually worked to set up controlled buys from the suspected dealers. “After a lengthy investigation as to the source of the potential problem, investigators were able to conduct a routine traffic stop on Highway 259, where four individual were arrested,” White said. “Those arrests confirmed our suspicions and gave way to obtaining two search warrants for the residences.” In addition to the arrests, White said that marijuana, cocaine, prescription drugs, weapons See DRUGS • Page 7
Tyler Wilson Taylor Wilson Sharpe
Karr
Kelley
V. Jones
P. Jones
BENTLEY PLAN:
Missed deadline keeps Dean out of state meet
Use trust fund to balance budget
Runner keeps a positive attitude and prepares for outdoor season By MITCH SNEED Editor
gest bag of the tournament Friday weighing in a five-fish limit that tipped the scales at 19 pounds, 8 ounces to take the lead with a total weight of 25 pounds, 10 ounces. McGinnis was happy with the day’s efforts. “It does look good,” McGinnis said. “We are excited to get back out there tomorrow.” The team of McGinnis and Davis also
The Alabama Indoor Track Championships began Friday and there was a familiar local name missing when the gun was fired for the 3200 meter run. Benjamin Russell senior distance ace Dillon Dean did not compete after paperwork issues made him ineligible for the state Dean meet. After a week filled with uncertainty, Dean got the final word from the Alabama High School Athletic Association earlier this week. “We just hate it for Dillon,” Benjamin Russell High School Principal Dr. Anthony Wilkinson said. “We are so proud of him and what all he has accomplished and want to support him in all that he does. “In this situation, he hadn’t run in the indoor season in the past and we don’t field a team as a rule. By the time he came to us and said he wanted to run
See BASS • Page 3
See DEAN • Page 3
By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer
Budget documents posted to the Alabama Department of Finance’s Executive Budget Office website on Thursday reveal where Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley plans to get at least part of the revenue to finance ambitious plans for the state outlined in his State of the State address Tuesday night. According to the site, the governor plans to balance the state’s 2017 General Fund budget at least in part by transferring $181 million in use and insurance premium taxes from the Education Trust Fund. See BUDGET • Page 7
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
The University of Alabama team of John Davis and Payton McGinnis hold up part of the bag of fish that weighed in at 19 pounds, 8 ounces Friday afternoon. The string included the big fish of the tournament caught by McGinnis weighing 6 pounds, 12 ounces.
BOATLOADS O’ BASS
Alabama team leads headed into Bassmasters final day By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
A University of Alabama team is still in the lead at the Bassmaster College Series Southern Regional at Wind Creek State Park, but not the day one leaders of Caiden Sinclair and Hunter Gibson. Sinclair’s and Gibson’s teammates, John Davis and Payton McGinnis pulled in the big-
Today’s
Local business one of 100 fastest growing companies owned by UGA Alumni
Reeltown to 51 31 officially get new grid coach on Monday Weather
High
Low
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
483.28 Reported on 2/06/16 @ 7 p.m.
Linda Shaffer, REALTOR® C: 256.794.4641 • W: 256.329.5253 shaffer@lakemartin.net 5295 Highway 280, Alexander City, AL
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54708 90050
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People
By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer
The Tallapoosa County Board of Education will vote on Superintendent Joe Windle’s recommendation for Reeltown High School’s new football coach at its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, Feb. 8, at 5 p.m. The search for the Rebels’ new coach began in November with See COACH • Page 7
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Submitted / The Outlook
Amber Yates poses for a photograph after being named to the University of Georgia Bulldog Top 100 list recently. Yates owns Southern Star Pet Grooming and Boarding on Highway 259.
An Alexander City business was recognized as one of the 100 fastest-growing companies owned or operated by University of Georgia Alumni. Amber Yates of Southern Star Pet Grooming and Boarding on Highway 259 was named to the school’s Bulldog 100 list for most business growth since 2012. “We are busy,” Yates said. “We are full on holidays and turning away people in the summer. We probably could expand if we wanted to.” Yates stumbled into the grooming and boarding by chance. “My parents had retired here and started an See UGA • Page 7
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