Jan. 18, 2018 Alex City Outlook

OPINION, PAGE 4: HEEDING WARNINGS HELPED KEEP AREA SAFE

THE LOCAL, PAGE 2 Lyman Ward visits Capitol

THURSDAY SPORTS, PAGE 10 Elite Series is just around the corner

Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892

January 18, 2018 Vol. 126, No. 13 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢

FROZEN IN TIME

Despite ice and snow, Alex City escapes worst in snow storm

State to launch new notification system for schools

AREA CLOSURES • Alexander City Schools and the central office will be closed today. All extracurricular activities this evening are also canceled. • Tallapoosa County Schools and the central office will be closed today. All extracurricular activities this evening are also canceled. • New Site Mayor Phil Blasingame said the New Site Town Hall would be delaying opening until 10 a.m. today. • New Site Senior Activity Director Jan Kennedy said the Senior Center would

be closed today and the monthly luncheon has been reset for Wednesday, Jan. 24. • Coosa County Schools will be closed today. • Clay County Schools will be closed today. • Central Alabama Community College will be closed today. • A decision on the status of the Tallapoosa County Courthouse and Dadeville City Hall for today had not been made as of press time Wednesday.

By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer

STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

About 3 inches of snow fell on Tallapoosa County and temperatures dropped steadily as the fluffy white stuff fell Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.

The result was a blanket of white powdery snow on top of a sheet of ice on area roads.

Roads stayed iced over, even after they had been traveled well into Wednesday and, for the most part, people heeded the warnings and stayed home. The temperatures remained in the 20s and it was not expected to get above freezing until midday today.

Alexander City Schools dismissed early Tuesday and were closed Wednesday and today. The same was true for Tallapoosa County Schools.

See SNOW • Page 3

Mitch Sneed / The Outlook

Downtown Alexander City once again proved it can be a winter wonderland when it is blanketed with snow. Top, the water of the fountain in the center of Broad Street Plaza was frozen solid Wednesday morning due to the low temperatures. Above, an area resident sweeps snow off of the sidewalks. See more snow photos inside on Page 5.

MainStreet Alex City sets inaugural Gumbo Cook-off

Today’s

Weather

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See NOTIFICATION • Page 9

Police following leads in December shootings The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s State Bureau of Investigation is leading the Area law enforcement investigation. is still investigating two “It is still an active December shootings. investigation,� SBI Bessie Heard, 59, of Captain Joe Herman said.

Camp Hill was killed when she was struck by a “We are still working bullet inside a former shot leads.�

Heard died from gunfire house on Martin Luther following an argument.

King Jr. Boulevard in Camp Hill early Christmas Others were injured in the morning.

See SHOOTINGS • Page 9

By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer

By AMY PASSARETTI Lake Martin Living

Break out Grandma’s secret recipe and enter MainStreet Alexander City’s inaugural Gumbo Cook-off for a chance to win some cash and bring home some serious bragging rights.

Celebrate in true Mardi Gras fashion a week before Fat Tuesday with this New Orleans-styled event See GUMBO • Page 9

During weather and other major events, parents, students and teachers all want the most up to date information to know if school will be open, delayed, dismissing early or closed. In order to achieve this more efficiently, the Alabama Department of Education announced it was rolling out a new online notification system to provide such information as quickly and easily as possible.

The new system, which has been in a pilot program accessible only by school officials since April 2017, was demonstrated to the Alabama Board of Education during a Jan. 11 work session.

Following this demonstration, it was announced that the notification system would officially go live to the public on Feb. 1.

Alabama Department of Education

File / The Outlook

Area law enforcement is still investigating a Dec. 25 shooting that occurred in a former shot house on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Camp Hill, above, that left one dead.

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Foot-dragging boyfriend puts engagement on endless hold

Friday

51 28 High

Low

Sunny

Saturday

57 37 Low

High Sunny

Staff

Directory Telephone: (256) 234-4281 Fax: (256) 234-6550 Website: www.alexcityoutlook.com Management Steve Baker Publisher, Ext. 218 steve.baker@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 Audra Spears Art Director, Ext. 219 audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com Betsy Iler Magazine Managing Editor, Ext. 221 betsy.iler@alexcityoutlook.com Tippy Hunter Advertising Director, Ext. 206 marketing@alexcityoutlook.com Angela Mullins Business Manager, Ext. 202 angela.mullins@alexcityoutlook.com Newsroom Amy Passaretti Assistant Magazine Editor, Ext. 227 amy.passaretti@alexcityoutlook.com Lizi Arbogast Sports Editor, Ext. 228 lizi.arbogast@alexcityoutlook.com

Postal

Information (USPS: 013-080, ISSN: 0738-5110) The Outlook is published five times a week, Tuesday through Saturday mornings, by Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL, 35011.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Post Office Box 999, Alexander City, AL 35011.

Thursday, January 18, 2018

The Outlook

Cliff Williams Staff Writer, Ext. 212 cliff.williams@alexcityoutlook.com Donald Campbell Staff Writer, Ext. 208 donald.campbell@alexcityoutlook.com Santana Wood Staff Writer/Pagination, Ext. 210 santana.wood@alexcityoutlook.com Advertising Sales Doug Patterson Newspaper Advertising, Ext. 205 doug.patterson@alexcityoutlook.com Katie Wesson Retail Sales Manager, Ext. 232 katie.wesson@alexcityoutlook.com Scott Hardy Digital Marketing Coordinator, Ext. 208 scott.hardy@alexcityoutlook.com Rebecca Carlisle Advertising Sales, Ext. 217 rebecca.carlisle@alexcityoutlook.com Composing Darlene Johnson Composing Department, Ext. 203 darlene.johnson@alexcityoutlook.com Hallie Holloway Composing Department, Ext. 203 hallie.holloway@alexcityoutlook.com

DEAR ABBY: I’m 28 and have been dating my boyfriend, “Spencer,” for 2 1/2 years. We have talked a lot about getting married.

We know where we want it to be, who will be in our wedding party and what the theme will be.

A year ago we discussed getting engaged. Spencer said he’d propose “sometime within the next year” and last spring it seemed like he was working up the courage to do it. (He was talking about how happy he was and what he was seeing for our future). Then his best friend got his girlfriend pregnant and told Spencer he was thinking about proposing to her. After that, the idea of us getting married went on the back burner.

Spencer stopped talking about us, and I think the reason was he didn’t want to

DEAR ABBY Advice

step on anyone’s toes. (It’s why he said he didn’t want to get engaged when his sister was getting married.)

How do I bring up the subject without coming off as pushy or selfish? A lot of our friends are in committed relationships. If we put our lives on hold every time one of them gets engaged, we’ll be waiting years before it’s our turn and we can start a family. I’d appreciate any advice you might have. -- READY TO MOVE FORWARD DEAR READY: Not knowing your boyfriend, I can’t

guess why you haven’t received the official proposal. It’s time to talk turkey with Spencer and ask him exactly why he seems to be stuck at the starting gate.

It was considerate of him to postpone your engagement so it wouldn’t distract from his sister’s wedding plans. But for him to do it again because of his friend’s impending fatherhood doesn’t seem like a legitimate reason to me.

DEAR ABBY: I am a tween and I’m scared about getting a disease or sickness. It started when I watched the news one night last month waiting for a show to come on. The news had all these terrible crimes and diseases, and that’s when I started freaking out.

My friend says I’m crazy, and I’m afraid she’s right. All

this worrying has me really feeling out of it. What should I do to quit worrying about diseases? -- SOUTHERN GIRL DEAR SOUTHERN GIRL: There’s a saying in the news business, “If it bleeds, it leads.” It means the more shocking a story is, the more attention it will grab and the more people will watch.

Quieting your fears may be as simple as talking with your parents about what’s scaring you, or having them schedule a visit with your pediatrician.

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.

Obituaries Mr. Fred McCain Funeral arrangements for Mr. Fred McCain will be held Friday, January 19, 2018 at 12:00 p.m. at Hollins Springs Missionary Baptist Church in Hollins, Alabama. Pastor Alfred Williams officiating. Interment

will follow at the Hollins Springs Cemetery in Hollins. Public viewing will be on Thursday, January 18, 2018 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Zion Memorial Funeral Home.

Zion Memorial Funeral Home of Sylacauga directing (256) 2451454. Alabama’s Premiere Funeral Directors.

Mr. Michael Leonard Mr. Michael Leonard, age 61 of Alexander City, AL. died Tuesday, January 16, 2018 at Russell Medical Center.

Funeral Arrangements are incomplete.

Final Arrangements Entrusted to Armour’s Memorial Funeral Home.

A captial visit

Circulation Linda Ewing Office Clerk, Ext. 201 linda.ewing@alexcityoutlook.com

Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. manages The Alexander City Outlook, The Dadeville Record, Lake magazine, Lake Martin Living, Kenneth Boone Photography and a commercial web printing press. © 2011 Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. Reproduction of any part of any issue requires written publisher permission.

Submitted / The Outlook

Students from Lyman Ward Military Academy in Camp Hill recently toured the Alabama Department of Archives and History. Representative Pebblin Warren from House District 82 met with students and talked with them about her service in the Alabama Legislature.

Public Meetings

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• 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.

• 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.

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

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

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

• Coosa County Board of Education holds called meetings at least once a month.

• Coosa County Commission meets on the second and 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.

• 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.

• Dadeville City Council meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. with a premeeting at 5:30 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 at the Caldwell Center 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., all Jackson’s Gap citizens are encouraged to attend.

• 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 first and third 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

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• Tallapoosa County Board of Education meets on the second Monday of each month. Meetings are held in the new central office at 679 East Columbus Street, Dadeville, AL 36853.

• Tallapoosa County Commission meets the second Monday of the month at 9 a.m. in the courthouse in Dadeville, with a pre-meeting also open to the public 30 minutes before each regular session.

• Tallapoosa County 911 Board will meet on the second Wednesday of each month at 5 p.m. in the 911 Administrative office at 240 West Columbus Street, Dadeville. Call 825-8490 for more information.

• Walnut Hill Water Authority meets the third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m.

The public is invited. Call 825-9841 to inquire about the agenda.

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Thursday, January 18, 2018

The Outlook

www.alexcityoutlook.com

Snow Area roads were deemed impassable by law enforcement across Tallapoosa County. Very few businesses opened Wednesday. Coosa County and Clay County also deemed their roads impassable. There were a few calls of motorists sliding off the roads and into ditches and police helped a few semis that had trouble with a hill on Highway 280 near downtown Dadeville.

Alexander City Police Chief Jay Turner said the area fared as well as could be expected and much better than the mess that occurred in the freak early December winter storm.

“We had five wrecks as of about 4 p.m. and that’s about what we have on a normal day,” Turner said.

“It was a far cry from the 96 wrecks we had in a 24-hour period back in the December snow.”

Turner said the fall in incidents came down to timing and traffic.

“This one happened in the middle of the night when people weren’t out on the roads,” Turner said.

“Plus, people knew that schools were closed, most businesses were closed and people had power. So there wasn’t a need for them to be out there. We fared as well as we did because people heeded the warnings and stayed home unless they had to go somewhere.”

Despite the snowfall causing some issues with area roads, very few other problems have been reported across Tallapoosa County. Dadeville Police Chief David Barbour and New Site Mayor Phil Blasingame both reported late Wednesday afternoon there had been no reports of trees down or any power outages in either town, but there were still concerns to be dealt with.

Barbour said the main issue the Dadeville Police Department was dealing with since the snow began to fall Tuesday night was traffic concerns.

“We had one wreck (Tuesday) night, and (Wednesday), it has mainly been slick roads and cars getting stuck,” Barbour said. “We’ve had to pull a few 18-wheelers through the intersection of Highway 280 and

continued from page 1

Cliff Williams / The Outlook

Traffic makes its way across the River Bridge on Highway 280 Wednesday morning. Roads were covered in snow and as snow melted, ice formed in many areas.

Broadnax Street, but there have been no reports of power outages or trees down.”

Barbour estimated the number of calls they had to handle at six, but he said he hopes people don’t get lulled into a false sense of security as they start their day Thursday.

“We felt like it would freeze back up overnight, so even into the day today, we hope people will stay off the roads if possible,” Barbour said. “If they have to be on the roads, use extreme caution.”

Slick was the word used to describe conditions in New Site, Jacksons Gap and Camp Hill Wednesday afternoon.

“The roads are pretty impassable right now.

They’re pretty slick and iced over,” Blasingame said. “Town Hall and most of our businesses are closed today. We will delay opening Town Hall (today) until 10 a.m.”

Dadeville Mayor Wayne Smith echoed much of Barbour’s statements, adding that he had spent some time riding around with the police chief surveying the situation across Dadeville.

“The power lines seem to be in good shape,” Smith said. “We have closed city hall (Wednesday), and we will open it up again as soon as it is safe to do so. We just hope that all goes well as it stays below freezing tonight.”

Tallapoosa County EMA Director Jason Moran added to the chorus of voices saying the roadways were the biggest concern currently, while he had not been informed of any power outages or downed trees in the county.

“That’s not to say we may not have isolated incidents of this, but I haven’t been made aware of any issues,” he said. “Our biggest concern right now is the road conditions. The roads and the low temperatures tonight (Wednesday) will be big.”

Barbour, Moran and Smith all applauded the public for heeding the warnings about getting out and traveling, thus keeping more serious traffic problems in the area from occurring.

“I want to encourage everyone to not get out and travel if they don’t

Cliff Williams / The Outlook

The Dadeville Police Department helps an 18-wheeler up a hill on Highway 280 Wednesday morning. Traffic was the main area of concern in Dadeville Tuesday night and Wednesday.

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Alexander City Outlook Dadeville Record Wetumpka Herald Eclectic Observer Tallassee Tribune

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have to,” Moran said.

“I urge everyone to proceed with caution,” Smith added.

Other area facilities were providing the public with information and updates on closures as quickly as they could. The Tallapoosa County School system announced at 10:15 a.m. Wednesday that all county schools would be closed today and all extracurricular activities had been canceled. The monthly board meeting of the Alexander City Schools has been rescheduled again for Monday, Jan. 22 at 7 a.m., while the schools themselves have been canceled today, the announcement coming shortly after 1 p.m. Wednesday.

New Site Senior Activity Center Director Jan Kennedy said the center’s monthly senior luncheon has been rescheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 24 at 11 a.m. She also said the center will be closed today due to the road conditions in town.

Meteorologist Nathan Owen with the National Weather Service’s Birmingham office said the forecast showed conditions will remain dry across Tallapoosa County throughout the rest of the week, with the temperature slowly beginning to climb after the hard freeze warning expired this morning.

“Right now, the high should be around 43 degrees today, with sunny

skies and a clear night tonight,” Owen said. “The high for Friday will be 50 degrees and around 57 on Saturday, possibly even approaching 60 degrees.”

While the daytime temperatures will be climbing over the next few days, Owen said the lows tonight and Friday night will remain in the 20s, which could cause some concerns with any precipitation still lingering on the ground, but will not be as major as the hard freeze problems seen Wednesday night and early Thursday morning.

(Donald Campbell, Mitch Sneed and Cliff Williams contributed to this report.)

MITCH SNEED EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X213

editor@alexcityoutlook.com

EDITORIAL BOARD Steve Baker Mitch Sneed

www.alexcityoutlook.com

Page 4

Our

View

Heeding warnings helped keep area safe

O

n the front page of today’s paper there is news of a winter storm that dropped about 3-inches of snow and ice across Tallapoosa County while most of us slept.

Roads remained very icy and slick well into the day Wednesday as public safety officials deemed area roads impassable.

We saw crews working in advance to be as ready as they could be. Trucks loaded with sand and gravel worked to make roads ready for the frozen stuff.

We had Jason Moran and the folks at the Tallapoosa County Emergency Management Agency making plans and sending out information on what to expect and how to handle what was expected.

This storm also came with bitter cold temperatures that are supposed to linger until late in the day today. This means frozen roads will likely be a problem as well.

So we may not be out of the woods just yet, but with few reported power outages and only scattered traffic crashes, it appears we fared pretty well considering.

When severe weather comes, preparation on following the advice of those trained in these matters is essential.

We saw how municipal, county and state officials prepared by issuing warnings, putting sand and salt down on potential hazards and schools sending students home early.

So how do you prepare? Officials suggest that everyone keep a disaster supply kit in their homes in case basic services such as electricity, phone and gas are cut off. Make sure it includes items such as flashlights, batteries, a first-aid kit, a battery-operated radio and, of course, nonperishable, ready-to-eat foods that won’t take much to prepare.

Statistics show that most weatherrelated deaths come when people do not heed warnings or advisories.

This time most area residents listened and the roads were all but deserted and that drastically reduced the number of accidents compared to the December winter storm that hit the area. That fact and the combined efforts of our leaders to prepare are why our area did as well as it did.

Thanks to you all.

F

Thursday, January 18, 2018

Take care and don’t be afraid

ear is a big problem to many. Don’t get me wrong, some fear is necessary. At its basic level, fear is an evolutionary adaptation that moves us from danger to safety. But it becomes unhealthy and un-beneficial when it’s activated when danger isn’t present or even probable.

This unhealthy fear can be a problem for individuals who live paralyzed lives or build up personal arsenals to guard against unlikely threats.

Chronic fear damages our health and keeps us from pursuing hopes and dreams that would give us more significant, better lives.

I spent much of last year reading about brain science and adult life change. There is a myth that life teaches us.

It’s easy to accept the myth as truth because it tends to be true. It’s the idea that people can’t change. Now it is true that people tend not to change, and that’s because adult behavioral change is hard. It’s hard, but not impossible.

For adult behavioral change to happen, it requires four things.

1) A recognition of the problem, 2) A decision to pursue a solution, 3) A strategic plan to reprogram your mental patterns; 4) Taking repeated action until change becomes permanent.

As I dug into understanding how to solve the problem of chronic fear, I discovered that

Spending time with people you love is income in your body budget. When you spend time doing things that make you feel joy you are adding income to your body budget.

RAY WATERS Expenses are the things that Columnist deplete our energy and drive.

Work is a body budget practicing life balance was expense.

Solving problems is a important. body budget expense. Learning The trinity of healthy eating, is a body budget expense. regular exercise, and getting Physical activity is a body eight hours of sleep every budget expense. Abusing drugs single night is fundamental, or alcohol is a body budget and of those three things, the expense. If an action helps one that has the most impact on how efficiently we function you feel sharp, energized, and alive it’s body budget income. is the sleep component. Those If it leaves you feeling tired, three things determine how healthy we’ll be physically and drained, dull, or overwhelmed, it’s a body budget expense. mentally, and how effective So how does this apply to we will perform professionally, chronic fear? Well, tired people socially. have a higher likelihood to be In her book, “How Emotions afraid of things that should not Are Made,” Dr. Lisa Feldman frighten them.

Vince Lombardi, Barrett suggests thinking of the famed football coach for Life Balance using the concept the Green Bay Packers, said, of a body budget. When I deal “Fatigue makes cowards with a financial budget, I’m of us all.” It is true. When focused on income and expenses and we are tired, physically and emotionally we can lose our I want those to be balanced. courage.

If I make more than I spend, I If you are fearful a lot, the have a surplus. If I spend more than I make, I have a deficit. A cure for your problem might be as simple as learning to rest a balanced body budget is also little bit more. Believe it or not, about income and expenses.

Income would be things filling that is what the latest scientific research says. And that’s what my account. It would include Vince said so there you go. restorative, nutritional, and Take care of yourself and don’t spiritual activity. be so afraid.

Sleeping eight hours per night is income in your body Ray Waters is a minister, budget. a motivational speaker and Eating healthy, natural food is income in your body budget. a regular columnist for Tallapoosa Publishers.

represents District 1. His phone number is 256392-0344. His address is 1821 LaVista Road, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of the Public Safety committee.

Bobby Tapley

Buffy Colvin represents District 2. Her phone number is 256-750-0663.

Her address is 786 I Street, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of the Buildings and Property committee.

Buffy Colvin

Scott Hardy represents District 3. His phone number is 256-4962450. His address is 549 Sleepy Hollow Drive, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of the Parks and Recreation committee.

Scott Hardy

Eric Brown represents District 4. His phone number is 256-3972011. His address is 1421 Parrish Drive, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of the Public Works committee.

Eric Brown

Tommy Spraggins

Tim Funderburk represents District 6.

His phone number is 256-825-2993. His address is 1431 River Oaks, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of Utilities committee.

Scripture

“Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life.”

– Philippians 2:14-16

alexcityoutlook.com

Daily Poll Wednesday Question: Do you trust broadcast weather forecasting?

No – 10 Yes – 15

Thursday Question: Do you think the area was prepared for the winter storm?

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.

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New generation seeing truths of the past for themselves Dear Editor, For so many years the truth has been hidden how some Republicans felt about black and brown people. How they have been treated.

God has allowed all this ugliness and hate to come to the surface.

This is a new day and a new horizon. The new generation is witnessing history for the very first time in their life. The only thing different now than in my childhood days is the President Donald Trump.

It was the people, now the people have help, they have the President fueling the fire.

But they forgot God’s rule then and the black won and His ruling and winning again. Like then he brought the bad people down and he is succeeding now. God said “When my word go out it won’t return void.”

When his children call on his name for help, he will answer the call. And when he answers, He answers with action so this generation is getting to see this madness first hand. So when they grow up they will be able to speak to the truth and not lie like the Republicans on Capitol Hill denying Trump lies. This is the worst the U.S. has ever witnessed.

We had some loud Presidents but they all respect the Oval Office and respected the country and our allies abroad.

This is a mess but we are shaping up to unleash a wave of democracy all over and espe-

cially here in Alabama. We will put people in that are not bought and paid for. That will make help people, create jobs, put policy in place to stop climate change. Help remove these waste dumps in the people’s communities.

They want to live healthy lives.

I have seen what is going on in some of these communities. It smells so bad that the buzzards have found a home sitting on the power lines.

They don’t fly away. They just hang around there.

Food is plenty.

Why should they fly away?

It smells awful and the waste management company doesn’t care but we do.

The people do that have to live there and smell this it is unreal but changes are on the way. There will be no more company endangering people’s health. We will protect people’s lives and their children.

Human beings should never have to endure this kind of living with this horrible odor in their communities where their children have to stay indoors.

It’s not right.

I told everyone that the Republican Party couldn’t legislate a whole year had gone and they have passed nothing that benefits the people, only the wealthy.

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 75 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!

us 1st Amendment threat now before the U.S. Supreme Court Follow On the Web

Tommy Spraggins represents District 5.

His phone number is 256-234-3609. His address is 1539 College Street, Alexander City, AL 35010. Chairman of Finance committee.

Today’s

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.

Letters to the Editor

Bobby Tapley

“But what is happiness except the simple harmony between a man and the life he leads.”

– Albert Camus

Mission

Officials

Jim Nabors

Quote

Our

Know Your Jim Nabors is mayor of Alexander City. His phone number at city hall is 256-329-6730 and his home number is 256329-1320 His address at city hall is 4 Court Square; Alexander City, AL, 35010. His home address is 1695 Magnolia Street Alexander City, AL, 35010.

Today’s

Tim Funderburk

Dear Editor, The U.S. Supreme Court is currently considering a case, the National Institute of Family Life Advocates (NIFLA) vs. Becerra. From all indications, virtually none of the America public is aware of this vitally important case! NIFLA is about freedom of speech and the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

California has imposed a law upon it residents that dictates that all pro-life anti-abortion organizations and agencies are required to post information in their place of operations that informs ALL patients/customers- especially the poor, that abortion services are available with financial assistance-even free in some cases!. These notices are required to list a state sponsored toll free phone number as well.

In a nutshell, what this law does is make it mandatory that anti-abortion pro-life operatives actually participate in the very behavior they are fighting and oppose: abortion!

The question is simple and straightforward.

Does such a law violate the First Amendment rights of it targets? While the outcome is uncertain, the Court vote is likely to follow party lines.

As to be expected, the U. S. 9th Circuit Appeals Court in California voted to uphold this issue unanimously.

Surely even the jurist who tend to favor such a law would agree that for the Supreme Court to uphold this law would be an encroachment of our First Amendments rights and would further whittle away at our sacred Constitutional freedoms.

Please, I urge you to make yourself aware of this issue and let your congressman know your feelings. While it is debatable that any issue has a higher priority than prevention of abortions, I know of no other issue that is more sacred that our freedom of speech.

Get involved!

James W. Anderson Talladega

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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, January 18, 2018

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Page 5

Cory Ozment / Special

A WORLD OF WHITE

The winter storm created some indecible scenery. Top left, the streets of downtown Alexander City were deserted for most of the day. Top right, a cardinal tries to warm up early Wednesday morning in Dadeville by trapping air in its feathers in a bush. Above, Cory Ozment used a drone to get this overhead view that showed Sixth Street Extension and Scott Road in white. Left, Highway 280 was even deserted at times Wednesday.

The Lake Martin area was blanketed with about 3 inches of snow, creating some beautiful scenes

Photos by Cliff Williams

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Thursday, January 18, 2018

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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 Birthdays

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File / The Outlook

The Dadeville Kiwanis Club will be holding its annual pancake breakfast on Saturday, Feb. 17 from 7 until 11 a.m. at the Dadeville Elementary School Cafeteria. Tickets are $6 per person and includes all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage, ham, coffee, juice and milk. For tickets, see any member of the Dadeville Kiwanis Club, or contact Tony Johnson at 256-825-6364 or Peggy Bullard at 256-825-9415.

Saturday, January 20

TRADE DAY: Bibb Graves High School Alumni and Friends Monthly Trade Day in Millerville on Highway 9 between Ashland and Goodwater will be held on Jan. 20 from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. Refreshments are also available.

BINGO NIGHT: The Weogufka Center for Arts, Entertainment and Education is hosting a chili supper and bingo night Jan. 20. Supper is from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 and is $5.

Bingo starts at 6:30 p.m. with cards starting at $1.

Sunday, January 21

HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEETING: The Tallapoosee Historical Society will meet at the Historical Museum on the square in Dadeville on Sunday, January 21, 2018 at 2 p.m. Dr. Charles Mitchell will be the speaker. He will present “A Pictorial History of Alabama Agriculture.”

While working at Auburn, Dr. Mitchell accumulated lots of old photographs related to Alabama agriculture. Several years ago, he began organizing them and realized that these old pictures could actually tell the chronological story of Alabama’s agriculture from the Creek Indians to modern production. He will share these photographs with the Tallapoosee Historical Society.

Please make plans to attend. The meeting is open to the public, there is no admission fee and free refreshments will be served.

Monday, January 22

HORIZONS UNLIMITED: E. Paul Jones will present “Reverend Maxwell” to Horizons Unlimited Monday, Jan. 22 starting at 1:30 p.m. at the Alexander City Board of Education.

Horizons Unlimited membership is $20 per person or $30 per couple.

Registration for winter quarter begins Jan. 8 at 1 p.m.

PARENT MEETING: Dadeville High School will be holding its Chromebook Parent Meeting on Monday, Jan. 22 at the Dadeville High School Auditorium beginning at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will go over proper usage of the devices and the Chromebook Use Agreement recently approved by the Tallapoosa County Board of Education.

BOARD MEETING: The Lake Martin Area Industrial Development Authority will be having their quarterly board meeting Monday, Jan. 22 beginning at 10 a.m. in the Betty Carol Graham Technology Center located on the campus of Central Alabama Community College.

MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATION MEETING: The Alexander City Area Ministerial Association will hold its monthly meeting Jan. 22 at 6:30 p.m.

The church address is 1098 King Street Alexander City. King Street is off of Highway 63 South heading toward Wind Creek State Park. It is a little less than two miles on the right once you turn off of HIghway 280.

Follow King Street all the way to the end and it will bring you directly to the church.

Tuesday, January 23

CANCER SUPPORT GROUP: A new support group for cancer patients and families is starting up to help with support through the process. A kick-off dinner is planned for Jan. 23 at 6 p.m. at the Trinity Campus First United Methodist Church next to Russell Medical. If interested please make reservations by contacting Andrea Peacock by phone at 256-749-1134 or by email at andreapeacock60@gmail.com.

PARENT MEETING: Reeltown

High School will be holding its Chromebook Parent Meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 23 at the Reeltown Lunchroom beginning at 6 p.m. The meeting will go over proper usage of the device and the Chromebook Use Agreement recently approved by the Tallapoosa County Board of Education.

Saturday, January 27

FAMILY GAME NIGHT: Bibb Graves High School Alumni and Friends in Millerville will have Family Game Night Bingo Saturday, Jan. 27 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. It will begin with hot dogs, pizza, chips and soft drinks.

BENEFIT SINGING: A benefit for Matt and Julie Vernon will be held at Kellyton Revival Center Jan. 27 at 5 p.m. All for Him, Danny Hutcherson, Jimmy Edwards and the Russell Family will be leading the worship in song. The Vernons lost everything in a house fire. A chili supper will follow.

Monday, January 29

HORIZONS UNLIMITED: Marilee Tankersley will present “Wetumpka Impact Crater” to Horizons Unlimited Monday, Jan. 29 starting at 1:30 p.m. at the Alexander City Board of Education.

Horizons Unlimited membership is $20 per person or $30 per couple.

Registration for winter quarter begins. Jan. 8 at 1 p.m.

Wednesday, Janurary 31

GRIEF SHARE: A session of GriefShare will be starting soon at the Trinity Campus of First United Methodist next to Russell Medical.

GriefShare helps those who have experienced the death of a loved one to realize that there is hope amidst the pain and uncertainty of grief. The journey can be made lighter when shared with others who are trained to listen with compassion and are able to provide guidelines on how to move forward.

There will be two separate groups meeting at the same location on the same days, one at 10 a.m. and the other at 6 p.m. Both are identical material. Meetings will start Jan. 31 and continue each Wednesday through April 25.

The facilitators are Dr. Tomeka McGhee and Patsy Coe Densmore.

For more information call 256-2342455 or 256-749-9354.

Saturday, February 3

BOSTON BUTT FUNDRAISER: Meals on Wheels is having a Boston Butt Fundraiser. They are selling tickets for a Feb. 3 delivery of a Firetruck Boston Butt at the Meals on Wheels office at Russell Medical or by calling 256-329-7382. Tickets are $35.

BOOK SALE: The Friends of the Dadeville Public Library will host a book sale on the lower level of the Dadeville Library Saturday, Feb. 3 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fill a grocery bag for $5 or three bags for just $15.

Sunday, February 4

PASTOR’S ANNIVERSARY: New Harmony Missionary Baptist Church in Camp Hill is hosting the 9th Pastor’s Anniversary honoring Rev. and Sis. Melvin C. Kelley, Jr. Sunday, Feb. 4 at 2 p.m. The guest minister will be Rev. Ira Moss, pastor of New Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Tuskegee.

Monday, February 5

HORIZONS UNLIMITED: Glen Willis will present “Forgotten Alabama” to Horizons Unlimited Monday, Feb. 5 starting at 1:30 p.m. at the Alexander City Board of Education.

Horizons Unlimited membership is $20 per person or $30 per couple.

Registration for winter quarter begins Jan. 8 at 1 p.m.

Wednesday, February 7

SITE REVIEW: Central Alabama Community College will host a site review for continuing accreditation of its Associate Degree in Nursing program by the ACEN on Feb. 7 at 3 p.m. in Building J of the Childersburg Campus. For further information, go to the CACC homepage at www. cacc.edu.

ENGLISH LEARNER’S CLUB: The Adelia M. Russell Library is hosting the English Learner’s Club starting Wednesday, Feb. 7 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Registration starts Jan. 3. The club will help speakers of other languages learn, develop and improve English skills, learn American slang, idioms and other useful phrases and work on fluency activities and interview questions.

For questions and information, call 256-329-6796 or visit the Adelia M. Russell Library.

Friday, February 9

VALENTINES CELEBRATION:The Equality Performing Arts Center is hosting a Royal Valentine’s Celebration Friday, Feb. 9 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Six past state pageant winners and the reigning Ms. Alabama Sr. America will perform popular love songs, a romantic aria and tap dance. the EPAC is located on Alabama Highway 9 in Equality.

Monday, February 12

HORIZONS UNLIMITED: Peggy Shores will present “Songs from the Heart” to Horizons Unlimited Monday, Feb. 12 starting at 1:30 p.m. at the Alexander City Board of Education.

Horizons Unlimited membership is $20 per person or $30 per couple.

Registration for winter quarter begins Jan. 8 at 1 p.m.

Saturday, February 17

PANCAKE BREAKFAST: The Dadeville Kiwanis Club will be holding its annual pancake breakfast on Saturday, Feb. 17 from 7 until 11 a.m. at the Dadeville Elementary School Cafeteria. Tickets are $6 per person and includes all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage, ham, coffee, juice and milk. For tickets, see any member of the Dadeville Kiwanis Club, or contact Tony Johnson at 256-825-6364 or Peggy Bullard at 256-825-9415.

The Learning Tree Helping Children Learn and Grow

The Learning Tree, Inc. is Accepting Applications for 2nd, 3rd, and Weekend Shifts for Direct Care.

Applications can be picked up at: 101 S. Dubois Street Tallassee, AL 36078 Or contact Brinda Bell (334) 252-0025, Ext. 101 Email: bbell@learning-tree.org

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

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Tony Guy, Owner Over 40 Years Experience

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Saturday, February 24

PANCAKE BREAKFAST: There will be a pancake breakfast on Saturday, Feb. 24 at Faith Temple Church Gym at 425 Franklin Street from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tickets are $6 for all you can eat pancakes in house and sausage, juice and coffee. Carry out is available.

This is a fundraiser for the Faith Christian Academy’s Robotics team which will compete in the National WWII Museum’s Robotics Challenge in New Orleans in May. Tickets are available from FCA students and at the door.

Monday, February 26

HORIZONS UNLIMITED: Dr. James Hansen will present “Neil Armstrong” to Horizons Unlimited Monday, Feb. 26 starting at 1:30 p.m. at the Alexander City Board of Education.

Horizons Unlimited membership is $20 per person or $30 per couple.

Registration for winter quarter begins Jan. 8 at 1 p.m.

guysheating@live.com 256–234–4198 196 Thompson Ridge Road Alexander City, AL

Thursday, January 18, 2018

The Outlook

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Thursday, January 18, 2018

Thursday, January 18, 2018

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Gumbo at Queen’s Attic in downtown Alexander City on Feb. 3. Complete with carnival beads and décor, the venue is perfect for showing off those cooking skills in style.

“Everybody does a chili cook-off, and we really wanted to do something different and branch out. We have some great people in downtown that can make some great gumbo, so we wanted to get people involved and have some fun with it,” said Bre Smith, MainStreet Alexander City’s executive director.

The entertainment starts at 11 a.m. with live jazz music from Tom Gassaway’s saxophone, and the win-

continued from page 1

ners of the event will be announced at 2 p.m.

Entry fee is $100 per team, with no limit on the number of team members, and entries must be submitted by Jan. 26. To enter, contact Smith by email at bresmithdowntownac@gmail.com, by phone at 256-329-9227 or stop by the MainStreet office located at 21 Main St. Contestants must submit team name, number of members on the team and the ingredients used in the gumbo, which will help to ensure that the tasting public is aware of any potential allergies.

“Anyone is welcome to come out, and anyone can participate. There is no age limit. I want family-oriented fun – bring your kids, your aunt, your soccer team – grab a group and join the festivities,” said Smith.

The public will judge the winners, and a ticket to the event is $10, which includes unlimited samples of the gumbo entries and three pieces of paper to use in voting for the top three entries. First place winners of the cookoff receive $500 cash’ second place receives $250; and third place takes home $100.

“There’s a great opportunity to win

Shootings incident.

“We did have four people injured,” Camp Hill Police Chief Johnny Potts said. “We had one of those that suffered life-threatening injuries, but we have learned today that she has stabilized and they believe she will pull through. Right now we are focusing on following every lead and finding the people responsible.”

Bystanders at the scene described more than 15 shots being fired about 2 a.m. Christmas and said an argument led to the shooting.

Outside the tin-covered home, evidence markers littered the dirt parking lot amongst automobiles and along the street as law enforce-

your money back. This is a fundraiser for our organization, and we’re trying to start the year off with something fun for everyone and do something no one else is doing in the area,” Smith said.

Shops and stores will be open downtown until 2 p.m., as well, so come out to support local business after tasting some delicious gumbo.

“We’d love to make this an annual cook-off. I’d like to see it build each year and go beyond just our county, so people are not only buying in to support our downtown but also taking part in a unique activity you can’t find within 50 miles,” said Smith.

continued from page 1

ment sorted out where the shots came from.

The incident occurred at the same location as a July Tallapoosa County Narcotics Task Force raid on an oldfashioned shot house where an illegal bar had been setup. At that time multiple bottles and liquor, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and a .38 caliber handgun were found inside.

Dadeville Police are still looking into a Dec. 1 shooting that left one man injured and a home riddled with bullet holes.

Neighbors of the man on Peachtree Street in Dadeville described automatic gunfire.

“It went boom, boom, boom, boom

real quick,” a neighbor who did not want to be identified said.

On that night, 911 dispatch received a call of gunshots into a dwelling on Peachtree Street at 6:22 p.m.

“There were several loud shots in very quick succession and based on what we found inside, it is more than just a pistol,” Dadeville Police Department Lt. Chris Martin said at the scene shortly after the incident.

There were several people inside the home. One person was injured.”

One male was transported to Russell Medical for a gunshot wound to the hand.

Martin said it appears the rounds

Notification Director of Communications Dr. Michael Sibley said this system would allow members of the public and the media the ability to access all available information regarding school closures in one place at one time, virtually eliminating the issue of having to search extensively for this information.

School officials for both the Alexander City and Tallapoosa County systems weighed in on this new notification system, explaining what they thought this could do for everyone.

“We have used it several times since the pilot program for it began in April,” Tallapoosa County Director of Student Services Casey Davis said.

“This is one more tool in the toolbox for us. It is definitely a good invest-

Page 9

came from an assault rifle. Martin explained this was not some random target practice and that more people could have been injured or worse.

“They were just at home,” Martin said. “There are four rounds that went through the kid’s room and busted the stuffing out of a mattress. We have bullets going through a washing machine. I honestly don’t know how more people didn’t get hit or killed. There are bullet holes all in that house. When they started shooting they were aiming to kill.”

Martin said they continue to follow leads and seek information that may lead them to the identity of the suspected shooter.

continued from page 1

ment.”

“I think it’s really great,” Alexander City Superintendent Dr. Darrell Cooper said. “So far it’s worked well.

I can’t see any negative for it.”

Davis and Cooper both described how the process for submitting information into the system works, explaining that only the superintendent or one of his designees can log in to the Alabama Board of Education website and submit the required forms so that the information can be relayed to the public through the state board website.

“There is another form that must be filled out and signed by the superintendent and board of education president, which must also include a plan on how the schools will make up

a canceled day,” Davis said, explaining additional steps that have to be taken when school is canceled, yet the governor does not declare a state of emergency, which requires the missed day to be made up.

While Cooper said this would be a useful tool for superintendents to see what other school systems throughout the state are doing in certain situations, this would not replace the top two tools the city schools use when making decisions on school cancellations: information from the National Weather Service and the Emergency Management Agency.

“This will help the public more than anybody,” he said.

At the same time however, once the system goes public on Feb. 1, Davis

and Cooper agreed this will be beneficial to everybody, a “one-stop shop” for the public to know about pertinent school information.

“It’s all going to be in one location for everyone,” Davis said. “Before this, I can’t imagine how difficult it would be for the state superintendent and the governor to know what’s going on with every school system in the state.

“The whole team in Montgomery put a lot of work into it to make it user-friendly. I think it will be very beneficial. It’s a win-win for everybody.”

“It’s good to be able to get on there and see what all the schools are doing,” Cooper added. “Anyone can check it and be well-informed.”

LIZI ARBOGAST SPORTS EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X228

lizi.arbogast@alexcityoutlook.com

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JOE MCADORY Columnist

Football games won’t be the death of you

N

Thursday, January 18, 2018

www.alexcityoutlook.com

ooooooo!” Slam!

“Oh … my … God!” Bam! “No, no, no … not again!”

Wham!

Decked out in Falcons gear, a teenager voiced his deep frustration then took out his aggression on my couch pillows and possibly the coffee table during the second half of Saturday’s Falcons-Eagles NFC Divisional Playoff game.

“Why are the Falcons running toss sweeps that result in negative yards? Where are the slant routes?

Why can’t this offensive line protect quarterback Matt Ryan? Why has this offense looked discombobulated and confused all season? Why is offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian still employed in Atlanta?” To his credit, he made fine points.

The Falcons, who had first and goal inside the Eagles 10 with less than two minutes to play, inexplicably — and believably — blew their chance. Game over. Season over.

Ever gotten so upset at the result of a sporting event that it ruined your mood for the rest of the day, week or even longer? In some cases, people have killed others in the wake of their favorite team losing. It’s happened here in Alabama. The Iron Bowl is pretty big, you know.

Used to happen to me all of the time. No, I didn’t go around killing people because my favorite team lost. Just don’t wear a Jets shirt.

Anyway, when the Miami Dolphins lost a football game that either, A) ended the season when there was a legitimate chance of winning the Super Bowl, or B) they should not have lost and as a result, the direction of the season would go downhill, it depressed me for days.

I would lie awake in bed, insufferably thinking about big plays that cost the Dolphins the game.

“What if Kim Bokamper made that interception at the goal line? Why did Joe Theisman have to punch the ball out of his hands? Why wasn’t John Riggins wrapped up at the line of scrimmage on fourth and one? Why wasn’t veteran Don Strock inserted for the ineffective David Woodley earlier?”

Sometimes, I’d even relive the game in a dream, somehow changing the course of history. Then I’d wake up and remember Miami lost, and the suffering began all over again.

OK, so Super Bowl XVII (Dolphins-Redskins) still haunts me just a bit. But you know what? I woke up one morning and stopped caring.

For me to put so much emotion (agony or ecstasy) into what occurs between people in shoulder pads and helmets who do not know me from Adam’s House Cat was ridiculous.

No matter what happens on the scoreboard, it does not pay my bills, it does not improve my relationship with my wife, it does not make me happier at work and it sure won’t determine where my soul spends eternity.

Whether the Miami Dolphins won or lost, the sun would rise on Monday morning and set that afternoon. There will be challenges in life to overcome and Don Shula won’t be there to help.

There will be obstacles. There will be love. There will be happiness. There will be accomplishments. There will also be death and taxes. You can’t get around those.

Much more energy and passion has become devoted to what truly matters, what I can control and what impacts my life directly than what happens on a football field.

Granted, I enjoy watching my teams win. But I also enjoy cheesecake. I won’t let the result of a football game dictate my mood or my life. In the grand scheme of things, it truly is vanity.

But fire Sarkisian anyway.

Joe McAdory is Communications Editor at Auburn University’s Harbert College of Business.

Elite Series is just around the corner STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

One of the largest fishing tournaments in the country is coming to Lake Martin, and it’s just around the corner.

B.A.S.S., the world’s largest fishing organization, will host the Bassmaster Elite at Lake Martin presented by Econo Lodge, Feb. 8-11, in Alexander City. This event marks the 14th time B.A.S.S. has held a tournament on Lake Martin and is the first of nine regular-season Bassmaster Elite Series professional bass fishing tournaments scheduled for 2018.

The tournament pits 111 of the top bass anglers in the world against one another as they compete for the $100,000 first-place prize. The lineup includes 99 anglers who competed in the Elite Series in 2017, and they will be joined by 11 first-time Elite qualifiers and one Elite veteran.

Among these 111 anglers, eighteen are from Alabama, including 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic champion Jordan Lee of Guntersville.

“The Elite field is getting stronger every year,” B.A.S.S. Tournament Director Trip Weldon said. “Some of the anglers who achieved Elite status in the last few years, including Lee, are already proving they belong in the top tier of this sport.”

From watching the first boats take off at 6:15 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 8, to viewing the final weigh-in at the Wind Creek State Park on Sunday at 2:30 p.m., to participating in the family-friendly Elite Series Expo, all activities and venues are free and open to the public. Among companies taking part in the event are Toyota, HUK Performance Fishing, Humminbird, Minn Kota and Power-Pole.

The Berkley Experience Trailer will be on site, and Mercury, Nitro, Triton, Skeeter and Yamaha will be giving demo boat rides.

Carhartt, Nationwide Insurance, Phoenix Boats and T-H Marine are also scheduled to appear.

Schedule of Events Thursday, Feb. 8 6:15 a.m. — The full field of anglers launch on

File / The Outlook

Greg Vinson is one of two locals who will fish the 2018 Bassmaster Elite Series, which kicks off at Lake Martin on Feb. 8 through 11.

Lake Martin. Public launch viewing is available each day from Wind Creek State Park.

2:30 p.m. — Official weigh-in takes place at Wind Creek State Park Friday, Feb. 9 6:15 a.m. — The full field of anglers launch on Lake Martin Noon — Bassmaster Elite Series Outdoors Expo opens at Wind Creek State Park 2:30 p.m. — Official weigh-in takes place at Wind Creek State Park Saturday, Feb. 10 6:15 a.m. — The Top 53 anglers launch for semifinals Noon - Bassmaster Elite Series Outdoors Expo opens at Wind Creek State Park 2:30 p.m. - Official semifinals weigh-in begins

at Wind Creek State Park Sunday, Feb. 11 6:15 a.m. - The Top 12 anglers launch for the final day 2:30 p.m. - Official final weigh-in for the 2018 Bassmaster Elite at Lake Martin presented

by Econo Lodge begins at Wind Creek State Park Local Host: Alexander City Chamber of Commerce

Editor’s Note: Information in this story provide by B.A.S.S. The Outlook will be publishing several stories in the coming weeks leading up to the tournament as well as daily updates once the event begins.

Weather forces postponement of area prep sports STAFF REPORT TPI Staff

Due to the recent snowfall and low-temperature weather conditions, both the Tallapoosa County Schools and Alexander City Schools have been closed today, wiping out another full slate of sports activities.

Postponed basketball games

include Alabama Christian at Dadeville, Horseshoe Bend in a tri-county tournament at Cleburne County, Pike Road at Reeltown and Beulah at Central Coosa, and wrestling matches between Benjamin Russell and Stanhope and Beauregard, Beulah and Dadeville have been postponed. The State Duals tournaments, which were

scheduled for this weekend, have been moved to Jan. 26 and 27.

The remainder of this week’s local sports calendar is as follows: Friday, Jan. 19 High school boys basketball Wetumpka at Benjamin Russell, 7 p.m.

Dadeville at Central Coosa, 7 p.m.

Horseshoe Bend in tri-county tournament at Cleburne, TBA Beulah at Reeltown, 7:30 p.m.

High school girls basketball Wetumpka at Benjamin Russell, 5:30 p.m.

Horseshoe Bend in tri-county tournament at Cleburne, TBA Beulah at Reeltown, 5:30 p.m.

ASWA BASKETBALL RANKINGS GIRLS CLASS 7A 1. Hoover (21-1) 2. Spain Park (19-4) 3. Sparkman (20-4) 4. Hewitt-Trussville (19-2) 5. James Clemens (16-6) 6. Huffman (11-11) 7. Mountain Brook (16-5) 8. Alma Bryant (18-5) 9. Davidson (15-7) 10. McGill-Toolen (13-8) Others nominated: Huntsville (11-10), Lee-Montgomery (15-8), Murphy (12-9).

CLASS 6A 1. Hazel Green (23-2) 2. LeFlore (23-2) 3. Ramsay (18-3) 4. Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (16-3) 5. Southside-Gadsden (15-1) 6. Blount (16-2) 7. Hartselle (16-4) 8. Brewer (15-4) 9. Center Point (14-9) 10. Austin (16-3) Others nominated: Athens (13-7), Carver-Birmingham (16-6), CarverMontgomery (12-5), Homewood (168), Muscle Shoals (11-9), Northview (11-6), Selma (15-4).

CLASS 5A 1. Charles Henderson (22-4) 2. Wenonah (16-7) 3. Eufaula (17-4) 4. Talladega (19-2) 5. Scottsboro (18-3) 6. Central-Tuscaloosa (15-5) 7. Faith Academy (13-6) 8. Sumter Central (17-5) 9. Mae Jemison (8-8) 10. Shelby County (14-2) Others nominated: Alexandria (135), Brewbaker Tech (11-11), Fairview (15-6), Lee-Huntsville (12-10), West Point (17-7).

CLASS 4A 1. Deshler (22-2) 2. Madison Academy (18-5) 3. Sipsey Valley (17-1) 4. Priceville (15-5) 5. Anniston (14-3) 6. Danville (18-4)

7. Hokes Bluff (15-5) 8. Greensboro (13-3) 9. Cherokee County (11-6) 10. Madison County (15-7) Others nominated: DAR (11-8), Jacksonville (13-5), Montgomery Catholic (12-5), Oneonta (14-8), Rogers (16-6), St. James (13-5).

CLASS 3A 1. Lauderdale County (20-2) 2. Pisgah (17-1) 3. Midfield (18-8) 4. Locust Fork (19-2) 5. Clarke County (21-0) 6. Montevallo (18-3) 7. Plainview (17-5) 8. Susan Moore (15-5) 9. Glencoe (14-5) 10. Prattville Christian (15-5) Others nominated: Colbert County (13-7), Daleville (14-6), Geneva (145), Montgomery Academy (17-4), North Sand Mountain (12-5).

CLASS 2A 1. Samson (20-2) 2. Collinsville (15-5) 3. Section (11-7) 4. Fyffe (13-3) 5. Mars Hill (16-5) 6. Chickasaw (14-1) 7. Geneva County (12-7) 8. Phil Campbell (13-5) 9. Abbeville (10-6) 10. Ariton (9-2) Others nominated: LaFayette (108), Lanett (7-4), Sand Rock (12-8).

CLASS 1A 1. Spring Garden (17-2) 2. Phillips (16-2) 3. Pleasant Home (17-4) 4. Linden (9-2) 5. J.F. Shields (15-1) 6. Notasulga (11-3) 7. Loachapoka (12-3) 8. Skyline (16-4) 9. Westminster-Oak Mountain (8-5) 10. Holy Spirit (12-1) Others nominated: Appalachian (12-2), Cedar Bluff (11-9), Coosa Chr. (14-7), Covenant Chr. (14-5), Marion County (13-5), Vina (20-5).

BOYS

CLASS 7A 1. Mountain Brook (20-5) 2. Sparkman (22-3) 3. Hoover (17-4) 4. Buckhorn (20-3) 5. Huffman (21-2) 6. McGill-Toolen (16-5) 7. Lee-Montgomery (16-4) 8. Vestavia Hills (17-5) 9. Alma Bryant (17-3) 10. James Clemens (13-8) Others nominated: Baker (159), Central-Phenix City (16-5), Enterprise (13-6), Grissom (12-9), Hewitt-Trussville (13-4).

CLASS 6A 1. Carver-Montgomery (17-6) 2. LeFlore (20-5) 3. Helena (21-2) 4. Muscle Shoals (13-3) 5. Hazel Green (13-7) 6. Ramsay (16-8) 7. Daphne (15-4) 8. Blount (14-8) 9. Pinson Valley (13-8) 10. Florence (16-6) Others nominated: Albertville (154), Columbia (15-6), Cullman (14-9), McAdory (12-7), Oxford (10-9), Parker (12-7), Paul Bryant (18-4), Shades Valley (15-7).

CLASS 5A 1. Lee-Huntsville (7-11) 2. Wenonah (19-5) 3. Sumter Central (24-3) 4. Guntersville (15-7) 5. Faith-Mobile (15-7) 6. Eufaula (16-9) 7. Pleasant Grove (17-5) 8. Talladega (13-7) 9. Sylacauga (17-5) 10. Brooks (18-0) Others nominated: Alexandria (13-4), Briarwood (9-6), Calera (164), Etowah (15-4), Fairfield (17-6), Valley (10-8), Woodlawn (14-8).

CLASS 4A 1. Oneonta (21-1) 2. Cordova (15-7) 3. Monroe Co. (14-6) 4. Madison Academy (13-7) 5. Escambia Co. (17-5) 6. Westminster-Huntsville (7-9)

7. West Limestone (15-5) 8. Deshler (16-6) 9. Catholic-Montgomery (15-5) 10. UMS-Wright (16-5) Others nominated: Ashford (14-9), Bullock Co. (7-5), Dale Co. (13-8), Haleyville (13-4), Hokes Bluff (15-4), Jacksonville (14-5), LAMP (11-5).

CLASS 3A 1. Plainview (22-2) 2. Midfield (16-9) 3. Prattville Christian (17-3) 4. Pisgah (12-5) 5. Lauderdale Co. (13-6) 6. Hillcrest-Evergreen (12-3) 7. Holly Pond (19-3) 8. Houston Academy (18-2) 9. Mobile Christian (13-6) 10. American Christian (15-5) Others nominated: Central Coosa (11-3), Geneva (15-6), Pike Co. (8-7), Weaver (13-6).

CLASS 2A 1. Barbour Co. (12-5) 2. Section (13-5) 3. Vincent (15-5) 4. Lanett (10-5) 5. Abbeville (15-5) 6. St. Luke’s (12-6) 7. LaFayette (14-5) 8. Keith (12-6) 9. Mars Hill Bible (14-5) 10. Collinsville (12-7) Others nominated: Fyffe (12-4), Red Bay (13-5), Tanner (10-9), Westbrook Christian (11-7).

CLASS 1A 1. Sacred Heart (10-10) 2. Georgiana (18-1) 3. Ellwood (15-6) 4. Decatur Heritage (15-4) 5. Spring Garden (15-3) 6. Lindsay Lane (18-2) 7. Meek (17-4) 8. R.A. Hubbard (14-5) 9. Skyline (10-6) 10. Winterboro (13-4) Others nominated: Appalachian (15-1), Brantley (7-5), Cedar Bluff (9-8), Cornerstone-Birmingham (6-4), Covenant Christian (13-5), South Lamar (14-5), Whitesburg Christian (8-7).