COMMUNITY COLUMNISTS INSIDE! THE
SPORTS, PAGE 10 A look back a spectacular football title game.
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ARRESTS, PAGE 11
January 10, 2018 Vol. 126, No. 7 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
See a list of recent area law enforcement reports.
Area schools get mixed report card By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
A recent federal report released by the Alabama Department of Education details findings on how proficient students across the state are in three key subject areas: reading, mathematics and science. For Benjamin Russell High School and the high schools in the county system, these numbers paint a somewhat disheartening
picture. According to this release, only 23.45 percent of Benjamin Russell students scored a proficient score in reading, 12.39 percent in math and 17.81 percent in science. In the county, 32.84 percent of students scored proficient in reading, 17.48 percent in math and 23.86 percent in science at Dadeville High School, 30.79 percent in reading, 32.64 percent in math and 33.69 percent in science at
Horseshoe Bend, and 33.11 percent in reading and math and 20.42 percent in science at Reeltown High School. Nearby systems show somewhat similar numbers. At Central High School of Clay County, 31.85 percent of students in reading, 14.56 percent in math and 25.32 percent were rated proficient in science. Meanwhile, at Central High School in Coosa County, 29.69 percent were proficient in reading, 7.81 percent in
math and 10.94 percent in science. Following this release, Alexander City Schools Superintendent Dr. Darrell Cooper and Tallapoosa County Schools Superintendent Joe Windle weighed on these numbers. “This is a mixed bag of results,” Cooper said. “The ACT Aspire did not match our state standards. It is designed to give you an idea on what students See SCORES • Page 3
Local pair jailed for burglaries
Robinson Iron helps restore Texas landmark
Elmore County arrest linked to lake area incidents in 3 counties
Company recreates Waco’s revered Themis statue
By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
Elmore County Sheriff’s Office reported the arrest of two men allegedly behind the burglaries of roughly 30 lake homes across three counties, done to feed their “crack” habits. That account is what Sheriff Bill Franklin said one of the men apprehended Wesson last Friday told ECSO investigators. Franklin described the arrest, saying both Allen Wesson, 58, and George Mehan, 24, were found after they were caught by a homeowner’s alarm system. Mehan The owner, he said, was watching the men through remote See BURGLARS • Page 2
By MITCH SNEED Editor
Employees with Lorena, Texas-based Montgomery Construction prepare to install a massive statue of Themis, the Goddess of Justice, high above the McLennan County Courthouse in Waco. Alexander City’s Robinson Iron recreated the original 117-year-old statue that was badly damaged.
A 117-year-old Waco, Texas landmark is again complete thanks to the incredible work of Alexander City’s own Robinson Iron. A brand-new statue of Themis, the Greek goddess of divine law, which was recreated from a badly damaged one that was taken down last July, made the trip back to the McLennan County Courthouse in Waco last week. Saturday it was raised to its 168-foot high perch and is now drawing rave reviews. The new exact replica of what was a massive zinc statue that had been damaged by high winds a few years ago. The new Themis is much stronger than the original having been made from cast aluminum and reinforced See STATUE • Page 3
Committee aims to keep King’s dream alive with parade and other events
County schools hear updates on tech center By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
Several special guests made presentations to the Tallapoosa County Board of Education during Monday night’s meeting, including representatives from the Edward Bell Career Tech Center and the alternative learning programs offered by the county school system. Fred Ford from the tech center, along with Principal Chad McKelvey and teacher Dalton Nabors talked about how the tech center has been growing and See SCHOOLS • Page 9
By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
File / The Outlook
Committee members and area residents march in last year’s Martin Luther King Jr. Parade in Alexander City. This year’s parade will be on Monday.
A few things have changed since the first Martin Luther King Jr. Parade in Alexander City 28 years ago but it all is meant to honor the memory of Dr. King. “We tried to keep the traditions alive,” said Alexander City Martin Luther King Jr. Committee member Ouida Maxwell. “But time brings about change. We now have antique cars and four wheelers.” Monday will be the 28th annual parade in Alexander City and the committee is proud for it to still be going on but is looking for help for it to continue. “It means a lot to the committee for it to be going on this long,” said Maxwell, who was one of the founding members of the committee. “In the first few years we heard comments that it wouldn’t last. We have struggled but we See PARADE • Page 9
Today’s
Lake Martin
Weather
Lake Levels
63 55
483.98
High
Low
Reported on 1/10/18 @ 1 p.m.
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