OPINION: WE ALL HAVE A ROLE IN STOPPING CYBER PREDATORS
THURSDAY
THE LOCAL, PAGE 10 ACMS offers bingo fundraiser
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
February 8, 2018 Vol. 126, No. 28 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
SPORTS, PAGE 11-12 See a full state of area basketball action inside
Fishermen ready to compete despite rain By CLIFF WILLIAMS and MITCH SNEED Staff Writers
Could the rain maybe shake things up a little for the Bassmaster Elite anglers on Lake Martin this week? The 110 anglers have been up and down its waters already this week in good weather except for Wednesday’s practice and hope they have the fishing figured out. Missouri’s Rick Clunn is no stranger to Bassmaster events, having competed in over 400 events including tournaments on Lake Martin. “It has been good to me in the
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Bassmaster Elite anglers including rookie Kyle Monti, right, listen as they get the last instructions from tournament director Trip Weldon.
past,” Clunn said. “I hope it is good to me again.” The weather is something Alexander City Chamber of Commerce President Ed Collari wishes he could change. The Alexander City Chamber of Commerce is the host for this week’s tournament. “I wish I could order up some Chamber of Commerce weather,” Collari told the group gathered at the Betty Carol Graham Technology Center Wednesday evening. “But that is the one thing I can not control.” The National Weather Service has predicted rain for most of the
QUEEN OF CONVENIENCE Browning finalist for Manager of the Year
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f you make a stop at the MAPCO store at Highway 280 and Cherokee Road over the next couple of days and notice a familiar face missing, it’s for a good reason. Store Manager Shelia Browning departed today for the company’s headquarters near Nashville where she will be recognized as one of eight finalists for the company’s first Manager of the Year Award. “I was honored to be selected to represent our region,” Browning said. “MAPCO really is a great company to work for and to know that you are one of eight selected to be considered from 345 stores See BROWNING • Page 5
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
MAPCO Store Manager Shelia Browning assists a customer during checkout Wednesday morning. Browning has been selected one of eight finalists for the company’s first Manager of the Year Award.
Candidate list grows as qualifying window prepares to close As the qualifying window for the 2018 election cycle prepares to close in Alabama, the list of candidates being cleared to have their name on the ballot continues to grow. From the governor’s office down to the county commission, more and more candidates are being cleared by their respective parties to seek public office. Joining Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, current Governor Kay Ivey and Michael McAllister in a race for the governorship on the Republican side is state Senator Bill Hightower and evangelist Scott Dawson, who recently See QUALIFYING • Page 3
58 39 High
Low
By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
Submitted / The Outlook
Four Benjamin Russell band members were recently named to the All-State and All-District honor bands. From left to right are Ja’Cedric Askew (District Honor Band), Kendal Sharpe (All-State White Band), Shelby Bloodworth (All-State Blue Band) and Dria McKinney (District Honor Band).
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
484.27
Reported on 02/07/18 @ 5 p.m.
LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443 6
54708 90050 USPS Permit # 013-080
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A storm front blew across Tallapoosa County Wednesday morning, bringing with it a heavy downpour that slackened off as the day wore on. Despite the thundering rain that made its presence loudly known, Tallapoosa County EMA Director Jason Moran said there were very few, if any, problems that occurred in the area. “The most recent reports I got from the National Weather Service stated that around one inch fell at the northern end of the county, while the southern end saw between one and a half and two inches of rain,” Moran said. In addition to the information Moran reported, the National Weather Service showed that 1.61 inches of rain over the course of a 24-hour period fell at the Thomas C. Russell Airport in Alexander City. Moran spent much of Wednesday morning riding around the county, checking on areas that are more prone to flood than others, predominantly in the areas around Reeltown and Tallassee. While there may See RAIN • Page 3
Nine local band students earn high honors
By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
Weather
Heavy downpour hits area, but no major issues reported By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
By MITCH SNEED Editor
Today’s
week. Gerald Swindle and Kevin VanDam gave their views on what this week could bring in a conversation with B.A.S.S’s Alan McGukin that appeared on the tournament’s website. “With all the rain that fell today, and is forecasted to fall throughout the weekend, make fishing better or worse on Lake Martin?” McGukin asked. “I don’t think it will have much of an effect one way or the other, because I think the dirt and mud will settle faster than people might think,” Swindle said. See FISHING • Page 5
laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL
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The Alabama Bandmasters Association recently held its annual All-State and AllDistrict honor band competitions for high school and middle school band members. Students from Alexander City Middle School and Benjamin Russell High School took part in the District VI competition on Jan. 27. When the judging was complete, five band members from Alexander City Middle School and two from Benjamin Russell had been named to the District Honor Band, while two more BRHS band members were named to the All-State Honor Band.
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BRHS trombone player Kendal Sharpe was named to the All-State White Band, while percussionist Shelby Bloodworth was awarded a spot on the All-State Blue Band. Tuba player Ja’Cedric Askew and trombonist Dria McKinney were named to the District Honor band from Benjamin Russell, as were ACMS band students George Ammons (trombone), Marley McCollum (clarinet), Madison Davis (trumpet), Shaunna Smelley (bass clarinet) and Danny Jeong (trombone). “There are three levels for All-State,” ACMS Band Director Greg Coggin said. See BAND • Page 3