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January 18, 2017 Vol. 125, No. 12 www.alexcityoutlook.com
Alexander City Fred’s store to close was announced by the company late last year. “The Alexander City store is being closed and Fred’s Pharmacy is doing everything possible to make the transition seamless for employees,” according to a statement released by a Fred’s corporate spokesperson. On Dec. 27, the company announced that it would be closing 40 underperforming stores in the first quarter of this year.
By MITCH SNEED Editor
An Alexander City discount store has been targeted for closure according to a company spokesperson. The Fred’s store located at 1227 Cherokee Road will be closed. Store officials said the store will close at the end of February, but the move is part of a corporate restructuring that
See FREDS • Page 11
File / The Outlook
Fred’s Pharmacy announced the closure of 40 underperforming stores in the first quarter of the year at the end of 2016. The Alexander City Fred’s is slated to close as a result.
Hospital refinances debt, sees significant savings
Students expelled over middle school gun incident
STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
The Alexander City Board of Education expelled two Alexander City Middle School students for their involvement in a gun incident at the school earlier this month. After a nearly two hour long hearing, Board Member Kelly Waldrop recommended that “Student A” be expelled from Alexander City Schools for a period of one calendar year and Board Member David Sturdivant recommended “Student B” be expelled for the remaining portion of the school year and then be allowed to attend alterative school for the first semester next year. Both expulsions were approved unanimously by the board. Denise Bates who was absent from the meeting having travelled to Washington D.C for the Trump inauguration. Cooper would not comment on the difference in the discipline between the two students other than that is what the board wanted to do. The expulsions stems from a Jan. 10 incident where a gun was discharged in the middle school and no one was injured. “We are very fortunate that the result wasn’t much worse,” Cooper said Jan. See SCHOOL • Page 11
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Liz Benton looks over memorabilia from her three trips to inugarations.
WITNESS TO HISTORY Local woman recalls inaugural experiences By MITCH SNEED Editor
When it comes to Inauguration Day, one Alexander City woman is a bit of an expert. Elizabeth Benton was on hand to see Bill Clinton sworn in as well as being among the masses to see President Barack Obama inaugurated twice. While she won’t be in Washington Friday, she said that having been blessed to witness those events still gives her a special feel-
Sidewalk Prophets bringing Prodigal Tour to Alex City By MITCH SNEED Editor
One of today’s top Christian recording acts is coming to Alexander City as the Sidewalk Prophets are set perform Feb. 11 at the Benjamin Russell High School Auditorium. The Sidewalk Prophets are currently on their Prodigal Tour, a presentation that combines music, multimedia and interaction top what band member Dave Frey calls “a totally immersive experience.”
ing as she vividly recalls those days. “Each one was very different, but the common thread was the feeling of being a part of government at work,” Benton said. “To me there among the masses you got a special understanding of what ‘We The People’ really means.” Benton’s first trip came in 1997, as Clinton was sworn into office for his second term. It was Jan. 20 and she said that she was sitting front and center. See INAUGURATION • Page 7
Man’s attempt at discipline results in abuse charge STAFF REPORT TPI Staff Submitted / The Outlook
“Our Prodigal Tour is something that is unique and different than anything we’ve done before,” said Frey. “We’ve produced a short film that is shown in conjunction with the music, and it has some interactive moments. We hope it provides the audience a totally immersive experience where they can leave finding something that touched them directly.” The show is sponsored by Marshall Street Baptist Church and Pastor Rick
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An attempt to discipline a child has resulted in the arrest of an Alexander City man for child abuse. Tony L. Dates, 51, of Alexander City was arrested Monday and charged with torture or willful abuse of a child after police responded to a call. Due to the relationship and the age of the victim, Alexander City Police Department Interim Chief Jay Turner said that many of the details could not be released. “Patrol responded to a call,” Turner said. “When they spoke to the victim, there were signs of abuse that resulted from disciplinary actions. They investigated it and handed it over to DHR…Between statements and physical evidence there was enough to go
See PROPHETS • Page 11
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Russell Medical has completed the refinancing of its long-term debt that will enable the Alexander City hospital to take advantage of a lower interest rate and realize significant savings over the 25-year life of the loan. The 81-bed, not-for-profit, acute care hospital closed on a $31,178,500 package through Ziegler Financing Corporation last week at a percentage rate that was 1.7 percent lower than what the hospital had previously. According to a release for Ziegler, Russell Medical had approximately $30.1 million in outstanding tax-exempt bond debt with an average interest rate of 5.7 percent. The recapitalization lowered RMC’s annual debt service costs by up to $575,000. The newly closed mortgage loan through Zeigler has a 25-year term and resulted in a note rate of less than 4.0 percent, according to the release. “With this refinancing, we See RUSSELL • Page 7
See ARREST • Page 11 +
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