FOOTBALL REGIONS REALIGNED
OPINION: A DAY TO REMEMBER, PAGE 4.
THURSDAY
THE
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892 January 21, 2016
Vol. 124, No. 15
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See more on new FREE ON BOND classifications in Accused killer McDaniel Sports, Page 8 released from jail, Page 3
Busy year for road improvements begins
available through a half-cent sales tax passed by the city council in 2014. “We have been evaluating streets and putWhile the cool temperatures the area is ting a plan together for several months,” currently experiencing isn’t suitable for road Alexander City Engineer and Public Works paving, the Alexander City Public Works a Director Gerard Brewer said. “With the Department is busy planning for what will be projects planned by the state this year on a busy year for road improvements. Washington and Lee Streets, we feel like our Officials have gathered data after evaluatcollector streets will be in good shape. ing all city streets and have released a list of “So what you see on this list is the next Cliff Williams / The Outlook the projects planned for this year under the highest priorities, the projects that we feel will Alexander City Road Improvement Project. give residents the most bang for the buck.” Alexander City is planning ahead for summer road projects and aim to let peoThe estimated $1.1 million in funding is made See ROADS • Page 3 ple know well in advance so they will be aware of potential delays and issues. By MITCH SNEED Outlook Editor
Great Bethel begins expansion
CAMPERS ON MISSION
Lake winter pool increase goes in effect Alabama Power now operating under new 30-year license
By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
STAFF REPORTS Outlook Staff
As of Wednesday, Alabama Power is now operating under its new 30-year license for Martin Dam, which means that a new higher winter pool is being used as the standard. Under the new operations plan that was approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Dec. 17, 2015, the lake level a new winter pool of up to 484 feet mean sea level, which is 3 feet higher than the old level. The new license also allows the company to extend the summer water level at the lake into the fall, if there is sufficient water available. The company also plans several recreational enhancements around the lake as part of the new license. The Alabama Rivers Alliance and American Rivers, Atlanta Regional Commission and Georgia Environmental Protection Division have filed requests with FERC for a rehearing on the new license. Despite their requests, Alabama Power is required to begin implementing the new See LAKE • Page 3
Today’s
Weather
57 50 High
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482.80 Reported on 01/20/16 @ 6 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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Ted Thompson, above, from Jackson cuts lumber to help frame a wall at Great Bethel Missionary Baptist Church Tuesday. Judy Conaway of Wedowee, left, sews the waist of handmade pants that the ladies of the team create for their mission project.
By the first weekend of March, the second phase of construction at Great Bethel Missionary Baptist Church should be complete thanks to the help of Alabama Campers on Mission. “A few months back, we sat down and decided we had the funds to start the second phase of construction here at Great Bethel,” Great Bethel Pastor Rev. Emerson Ware said. “At that point we contacted the campers and got on their schedule.” The second phase of construction includes Sunday school rooms and bathrooms. Ware explained that it is not the first time the Campers on Mission have been to the Alexander City area. “About eight years ago they were doing some work at Early Rose,” Ware said. “I talked to some of them about what we See GREAT BETHEL • Page 2
A selfless deed: Dadeville woman extends service to child in need By MITCH SNEED Editor
A Dadeville woman is on a mission to help a little girl a half a world away to live a normal life, despite being born with a disfiguring condition. Patricia Maxey is hoping to continue to help a young Vietnamese girl who is need of an expensive surgery to complete a treatment she began more than two years ago when Maxey first heard the story. Nguyet Tran is a Vietnamese child who was born with a facial hemangioma. According to the Mayo Clinic, a hemangioma is a birthmark that most commonly appears as a rubbery, bright red nodule of extra blood vessels in the skin. Sometimes called a strawberry mark, a hemangioma grows during the first year of life, and then recedes over time.
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But for Nguyet Tran, the growth that was about the size of an actual strawberry at birth, began to increase in size rapidly. “I became involved when the child was nearly one year old when a friend of mine showed me her picture and asked me if I could help,” Maxey said. “We had helped some others in the community when they had some issues and he just wondered what I might be able to do. “I didn’t even know where to start. It turns out that the doctors in Vietnam would not operate because the parents could not pay for the surgery in advance and they have no medical insurance. They are extremely poor.” Maxey turned to a family friend who is a doctor in Florida who was able to connect Maxey with several different groups that See SELFLESS • Page 3
Submitted / The Outlook
Dadeville’s, Patricia Maxey, above left, poses at the airport with Lam Ti Lee and her daughter Nguyet Tran after she received treatment for a disfiguring birth defect.
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Couple’s future grows murkier after man has second thoughts
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Directory Telephone: (256) 234-4281 Fax: (256) 234-6550 Website: www.alexcityoutlook.com
Mia Osborn Assistant Magazine Editor, Ext. 227 mia.osborn@alexcityoutlook.com
Management Kenneth Boone Publisher, Ext. 218 kenneth.boone@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
Advertising Sales Tippy Hunter Advertising Director, Ext. 206 marketing@alexcityoutlook.com Doug Patterson Newspaper Advertising, Ext. 205 doug.patterson@alexcityoutlook.com Kim Morse Advertising Sales, Ext. 217 kim.morse@alexcityoutlook.com Emily Guill Advertising Sales, Ext. 225 emily.guill@alexcityoutlook.com Debbie DeWildt Advertising Sales, Ext. 214 debbie.dewildt@alexcityoutlook.com
Accounting Angela Mullins Bookkeeping, Ext. 202 angela.mullins@alexcityoutlook.com Mary Lyman Boone Bookkeeping marylyman.boone@alexcityoutlook.com Newsroom Betsy Iler Magazine Managing Editor, Ext. 221 betsy.iler@alexcityoutlook.com Robert Hudson Sports Editor, Ext. 228 robert.hudson@alexcityoutlook.com Cliff Williams Staff Writer, Ext. 212 cliff.williams@alexcityoutlook.com David Granger Staff Writer, Ext. 210 david.granger@alexcityoutlook.com
Composing Audra Spears Composing Department, Ext. 219 audra.spears@alexcityoutlook.com Darlene Johnson Composing Department, Ext. 203 darlene.johnson@alexcityoutlook.com Hallie Holloway Composing Department, Ext. 203 hallie.holloway@alexcityoutlook.com Alethia Russell Graphic Artist, Ext. 231 alethia.russell@alexcityoutlook.com Circulation Linda Ewing Asst. Circulation Manager, Ext. 201 linda.ewing@alexcityoutlook.com
Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. manages The Alexander City Outlook, The Dadeville Record, Lake magazine, (USPS: 013-080, ISSN: 0738-5110) Lake Martin Living, The Outlook is published five times Kenneth Boone a week, Tuesday through Saturday Photography and mornings, by Tallapoosa Publishers, a commercial web printing press. Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL, 35011. © 2011 Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. ReproPOSTMASTER: Send address duction of any part of any issue requires changes to Post Office Box 999, written publisher permission. Alexander City, AL 35011.
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DEAR ABBY: My boyfriend, “Jimmy,” and I have been together for two years. After about four months, out of necessity we moved in together and it was great. Not long afterward I got a job two hours away. Since I moved, we get to see each other only every two or three weeks. The separation has been tough, but when we’re together, everything is perfect and all is right with the world. I feel we were fated to be together. Before the move, Jimmy and I often talked about marriage, and although I am not crazy about it, I knew it meant a lot to him, so I proposed (ring and all). He initially said yes, then sort of asked me to take back my proposal. Since then, he has been avoiding all discussions about our future, and I don’t know what to do. I’m willing to quit my job and go back to be with him, but I’m scared he’s going to get cold feet. Obviously, I’m hopelessly
DEAR ABBY Advice
in love with him, but now I’m feeling lost and confused. -- HOURS APART IN THE SOUTH DEAR HOURS APART: Please allow me to offer some clarity. Do not quit your job because if you do, you may find yourself not only without a job but also without a place to stay. When someone (man or woman) asks that a proposal be rescinded, it usually means the person feels he or she may have jumped the gun by saying yes. Jimmy is avoiding all discussion about your future because he doesn’t want one, and he’s afraid to say it directly because he knows it will hurt your feelings.
For your own sake, have an honest conversation with him about this. It may be painful, but it will be better than living in limbo the way you are. As the saying goes, “When a door closes, another one opens.” DEAR ABBY: Last Friday was Grandparents’ Day at my kids’ preschool. My parents attended and were well-behaved for the most part, but then my mother made a faux pas. She asked one of the directors when her baby was due. Well, Abby, the woman isn’t pregnant. When I picked up my kids, I had no idea what had happened. The director was having a conversation with one of the teachers when I walked in, so as usual I smiled and waved as I walked by. I did sense something was off when she didn’t respond, but I figured she was preoccupied. When we met my parents for dinner, my mother told me what happened.
I am mortified. I managed to make it out of the preschool this morning without crossing paths with the director, but I’ll be seeing this woman for the next couple of years. What, if anything, do I say to her? -- HORRIFIED IN MICHIGAN DEAR HORRIFIED: You did nothing wrong, so stop avoiding the woman and behave as you usually do. IF you notice that she treats you differently, all you should say is: “I heard what happened with my mother, and I’d like to apologize for her behavior. As you can see, she sometimes puts her foot in her mouth, but we love her anyway.” 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 Sarah (Susie) Nell Litsey (Lightsey) Bookout, 1929-2016 Sarah (Susie) Nell Litsey (Lightsey) Bookout, of Montgomery, Alabama and Bozeman, Montana, passed away on January 16, 2016 after many years with Parkinson’s Disease. She is survived by her husband, Henry Ellis Bookout; her daughter, Marilyn “Sue” (Jim) Hamilton of Bozeman; her granddaughters, Erin (Wyatt) Larson and Katrina Hamilton of Bozeman; her great-grandchildren, Keilan Segi and Carmen Larson; her sister-in-law Maragret Lightsey of Mobile, Alabama, nephews, James (Sharon) Lightsey of Daphne, Alabama and Keith Lightsey of Nashville, Tennessee and nieces, Elizabeth Massingale and Sharon Woods of Mobile, Alabama. She is preceded in death by her parents, Guy and Katie Era (Price) Litsey of Alexander City, Alabama, her brother, James Marylon Guy Lightsey of Mobile, Alabama and her infant daughter, Janice Ann Bookout. Born in Dadeville, Alabama, on March 17, 1929, she was a farmer’s daughter who became a military wife. She worked
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as a secretary and administrative assistant at the Economy Gas Company and Aaronoff Construction Company during her early years of marriage before becoming a civil servant who worked at Wiesbaden Air Force Base in Wiesbaden, Germany, as well as Gunter and Maxwell Air Force Bases in Montgomery, Alabama. She was a devoted Christian, active member of Frazier Memorial Church and the Air Force One Chapter of the Eastern Star in Montgomery, Alabama. Sarah and Henry moved to Bozeman in 2009 where they resided at the Bozeman Lodge. The family wishes to thank the staff at the Bozeman Lodge as well as the special caregivers from Home Instead, especially Lori Bussi, along with the many friends and acquaintances she made while living at the Lodge. Funeral services will be held at White Chapel funeral home in Montgomery, Alabama on Thursday, January 21, at 2:00 pm. Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to the service. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery. A memorial will be held at the Bozeman Lodge Chapel on a date to be announced. In lieu of flowers, the family requests you make a donation to a charity of your choice.
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Mr. Perry Charles Brooks Funeral service for Mr. Perry Charles Brooks, 54 of Selma, AL; 1 p.m.; Thursday, January 21, 2016 at Armour’s Memorial Chapel, Alexander City, AL; Armour’s Memorial Service in charge.
Mrs. Mary Lampkin Funeral service for Mrs. Mary Lampkin of Camp Hill, Alabama will be January 22, 2016 at New Hope Baptist Church at 1:00 p.m. Burial will follow at New Hope Baptist Church Cemetery. Wrights Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Great Bethel
continued from page 1
wanted to do as far as the second phase of construction here at Great Bethel.” The Alabama Campers on Mission operate under a national organization. “We are a chapter under the national organization, Campers on Mission,” State president Ron McMonagle said. “The national organization has almost 4,000 men and women and there are over 300 in the state group.” McMonagle explained how much work the group does. “We average 40 to 45,000 man hours a year and 25-40 projects,” McMonagle said. “A lot of us are on the road for four to seven months a year.” In Alexander City it is a smaller group of the Alabama Campers on Mission. “We have 12 rigs and one local gentleman who is driving in daily for 13 women,” Campers on Mission Project Manager Ken Conaway said. “The women are doing there own mission work making clothing and back packs for third world countries.” Conaway explained the construction process at Great Bethel. “We showed up with a slab on the ground and metal building,” Conaway said. “Our plan is for three weeks is to frame it in, rough in the wiring and plumbing, insulate and hang the gypsum board. We will leave for two weeks for another project.” But the project does not stand still. “In those two weeks while we are gone, the church has to get the sheet rock mudded and get the bathroom flooring down,” Conaway said. “Then we will come back for two additional weeks. We will paint it, hang the suspended ceiling, hang and paint the doors and some trim work. Basically when we leave they will have a finished product.” One would think such hard work would bring in some extra money for the group, but not for Campers on Mission. “We get no pay for this,” McMonagle said. “We are called to do this. We give the Lord all the praise and glory. We get to help the churches and fellowship with them.” Ware and others at Great Bethel appreciate the help that will save the church over $50,000 in labor. “It means quite a bit especially when finances are concerned,” Ware said. “It has been great,” Church Deacon Calvin Broughton said. “It is a great help.
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Thursday, January 21, 2016
Selfless communicated with a translator on my iPad. I agreed to meet her in Madrid to help with communication and other things with the baby. I paid all of my own expenses. The trip was supposed to last only 10 days. “After six weeks in Madrid and many tests and drugs to shrink the tumors, we were sent home,” Maxey said. “For the past two years now my husband and I have been providing all of the medication for the baby. She was required to be on this medication for almost two years to try and shrink the tumors so that plastic surgery could be performed. It has been amazing, she is better, but she needed surgery to complete the process. Maxey said that doctor in Spain contacted her about a month ago and wanted to schedule the surgery. “The organization in San Francisco says they are unable to fund the surgeries at this time,” Maxey said. “Delaying surgery now could result in a suboptimal result with the tumor regressing but the skin remains distorted and discol-
continued from page 1
license immediately. Alabama Power has been working with stakeholders, local leaders and multiple public agencies since 2006 on relicensing the Lake Martin hydroelectric project. In April, experts at FERC issued a final Environmental Impact Statement that recommended the higher winter level and a conditional extension of the summer level. Under the new license, the company will be permitted to maintain the lake up to the higher summer level of 491 feet for six weeks longer in the nearly fall – through midOctober – when certain criteria are met each year. Under the old license, the company has lowered the lake level beginning Sept. 1. The new Lake Martin license also includes provisions for the company to make significant recreational and environmental enhancements around the reservoir. The enhancements are expected to include the protection of additional undeveloped lands around the lake and improvements at shoreline recreational areas.
ored similar to a deep burn. She will require extensive plastic surgery to the head, face, eye and scalp. She will also require dental implants when she is about 10 years old. “So now I’m trying to find a way to raise the fund to help make it happen.” Maxey has get up a GoFundMe page in hopes of raising the estimated $50,000 it will take to fund the surgery and other needs for the child. Giving is easy, just go to www.gofundme.com/uxhfxbvw and follow the link. Maxey’s church family at Red Ridge United Methodist Church has raised about $4,000 to help get the ball rolling “Without this surgery, she will live a very sheltered life kept away from the public, socially ridiculed and socially abandoned,” Maxey said. “Without the surgery this could lead to permanent residual disfigurement. That’s why it is so important to me. I appreciate everyone and you will be making a difference in the life of a precious child.”
By MITCH SNEED Outlook Editor
The former reality show cast member facing murder charges in connection with a Sunday morning killing has been released from the Tallapoosa County Jail after posting bond Tuesday evening. Matthew Clate McDaniel, 33, of Dadeville was released at 5:33 p.m. Tuesday after a bond of $250,00 was posted. McDaniel had been jailed since his arrest Sunday after Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Department investigators identified him as a suspect in the death of Norman Deon Crayton, 40, of Jacksons Gap. Crayton’s body had been found by hunters in a wooded area off Barron’s Bridge Road south of Dadeville. A release from Tallapoosa County Sheriff Jimmy Abbett said the victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Abbett did not elaborate on a possible motive or offer any information on events that may have led to the shooting. Witnesses told the Outlook that the two men were seen at Col. Tom’s Tavern, a club located at 10207 County Road 34 near Dadeville, Saturday night. Those who were at the club said at one point McDaniel and Crayton were seen playing pool together. McDaniel, the owner of Lakeside Excavation and Materials, is also known for his appearance on the 2012 History Channel reality show “Bamazon.” The show tracked the trials and tribulations of a group of Americans running a gold mining operation in Guyana. Few additional details have been released, but a preliminary hearing should be the next step in the legal process to determine if the case will go to the grand jury for indictment. Abbett said that the probe remains an active investigation and that through the legal process details will emerge. “He will have his day in court and the facts will be heard at that time,” Abbett said Tuesday. “This is not a case we want to try in the media or on social media.”
Roads
continued from page 1
The planned projects for 2016 are: • Washington Street from the 5th Way Railroad Crossing to North Central/South Central • Broad Street Parking lot (in conjunction with the TAP grant) • Elkahatchee Road from about Airport Boulevard to the City Limit • Dean Road from 280 to the dead end • N Place from D Street to C Street • C Street from E Street to N Place • F Street from D Street to C Street • D Street from E Street to U Street • Glenwood Road from 280 to County Road “These streets were selected based on analysis through MicroPaver and by on-site engineering analysis,” Brewer said. “Also, please keep in mind that the list could possibly be shortened or lengthened based on bid prices, utility conflicts,
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Alleged killer McDaniel posts bond, released from jail
continued from page 1
often help in situations like the one facing this little girl. “The family tried six different doctors with the same results,” Maxey said. “I didn’t know if they could help or not, it was such an extreme case. By the time the child was 6 months old, it had grown to cover the entire left side of her face. It prevented hair growth on the left side of her scalp and also she has no teeth on that side of her face. Her left eye was completely obscured. “But we found a group in San Francisco that agreed to help. It was truly a blessing.” The group agreed to help fly the child’s mother and little Nguyet Tran to Madrid, Spain where she could get treatment at one of the largest children’s hospitals in the world. They even paid for a hotel, airfares, meals, and hospital expenses, according to Maxey. Maxey said that the mother had never even left her village and was terrified of facing the experience on her own. “The mother spoke no English or Spanish, only Vietnamese,” Maxey said. “I spoke no Vietnamese, but we
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funding issues and other factors that may arise.” Brewer said paving may not be until later, but prep work may begin much sooner. “That’s why we wanted to get list out there so people who live in those areas and use those streets regularly will be aware that we could be working in the area,” Brewer said. “We have also designed a door hanger that we will place at homes in advance of us being in their area doing work. We hope that will help answer any questions and allow them to plan around any temporary inconvenience the work could create.” Brewer said the listed projects account for about $850,000 of this year’s expected funds. In addition, several large patching projects and some striping initiatives will be funded under the ACRIP funding.
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Opinion Wanted: People willing to share their opinion
T
here is no better time than the now to get something off your mind. A letter to the editor or a guest column published in The Outlook is the best way we know to say what’s on your mind and to reach people in the Lake Martin community. Here are some good reasons to speak out: ■ If you would like to voice an opinion on a topic that impacts a number of residents. ■ If you want to call attention to someone or some group that has achieved something noteworthy. ■ If you want to thank someone who has gone out of their way to help you. ■ If you see a problem in our community and you’d like to suggest a solution. Whatever you have to say, we’d like to help you say it – for free. Just write us a letter or a guest column. We have a few rules designed to help get your thoughts published accurately. First, we require all letters be signed and include a phone number. We won’t publish your phone number, but we will call and confirm that the writer is genuine. In rare instances, we may publish a letter to the editor without including the writer’s name if the letter passes a strict three-pronged test: we have confirmed that the letter is legitimate, revealing the writers’ name would cause harm and publishing the letter is in the best interest of our community. The main difference between a letter to the editor and a guest column is the length. Letters are limited to about 250 words. Guest columns can be twice that length and include a photo of the writer. The best way to get a column or letter to us is to email it to editor@ alexcityoutlook.com. We also accept letters on paper, delivered to our office at 548 Cherokee Road, Alexander City, or delivered by mail to Editor, The Outlook, P.O. Box 999, Alexander City, AL 35011. Your right to speak out as a citizen, and our right to publish your opinion, is protected by the First Amendment. Exercise your right.
Thursday, January 21, 2016
A date that I will always remember
J
anuary 10 is a date that will always be near and dear to my heart. January 10, 2003, is the date in which I was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army following completion of Officer Candidate School (OCS) at Ft. Benning, Georgia. I first joined the army in 1992 and served as a medic for four years. I always dreamed of becoming an officer but never imagined it ever actually coming to fruition. Once my enlistment was up, I returned home and went to school on the G.I. Bill. I worked full time and went to school as much as I could, so it took me five years to complete my Bachelor’s Degree. Upon graduation, I had several people tell me they didn’t think I would ever finish college. For some reason, they thought I’d quit. I believed in myself when others didn’t. A month later, 9/11 happened, and I eventually decided to go back into the army by way of OCS. I had to go before a board in Montgomery and received perfect scores across the board, pun intended. OCS was tough for me for a bunch of reasons. Early on, I hurt my knee but hobbled around on it for a couple of weeks before I could finally take no more. I went to
JODY FULLER Guest Columnist
the doctor who put me on restricted duty, which did not look good to my superiors. I was on the verge of being recycled to another class. I prayed that night like never before. The next morning, my knee had miraculously healed. I write extensively about this in a story called Miracles in Uniform in the book Miracles Happen: 101 Inspirational Stories about Hope, Answered Prayers, and Divine Intervention by Chicken Soup for the Soul. There were other issues, as well, but I graduated on time with my class, even when others thought I wouldn’t. I believed in myself. Three years later, on January 10, 2006, my obligation was up, and I had this crazy idea to leave the comforts of the army, which had included one year in Iraq, to chase the dream of performing stand-up comedy for a living. Once again, people thought I was crazy. They thought I was making a huge mistake. By this point, I’d had well over seven years in the army, so I decided to join the Alabama National Guard.
Each time, I built up any momentum in the comedy world, I was called upon to deploy again. That, however, gave me time to adapt my craft into more of a motivational and inspirational style of comedy, which is so much more rewarding for me. I stay busy with my comedy, speaking, and writing and have done pretty well. I believed in myself when very few others did. On my third tour in Iraq, Auburn won the National Championship on Jan 10, 2010. They, too, believed in themselves when nobody else did. This year was special because I had 16 oz. ribeye grilled to perfection on January 10, the night before I started my 24 Day Challenge, a health and wellness program. I’m just a few days into it, and I’ve already lost five pounds, but now I’m ready for day 25 and another steak, a bigger steak, grilled to perfection. Jody Fuller is a comic, speaker, writer and soldier with three tours of duty in Iraq. He is also a lifetime stutterer. He can be reached at jody@jodyfuller.com. For more information, please visit www.jodyfuller.com.
Robert Bentley Luther Strange was elected Alabama’s 49th Attorney General first elected in 2010, and serves as the State’s chief law enforcement officer. He can be reached at 334242-7300, and his office is located at 501 Washington Avenue, Luther Strange Montgomery. Mark Tuggle (R) represents the 81st District covering Coosa, Chilton and Tallapoosa counties. He can be reached by phone at 256-392-2006 or by email at tughd81@ gmail.com. His office is located at 110 Mark Tuggle Calhoun Street, Suite 108, Alexander City. Tom Whatley represents the 27th District covering Lee, Russell and Tallapoosa County. He was elected to the Alabama Senate on Nov. 2, 2010, and can be reached at 334-242-t7865. Tom Whatley His office is located at 337 East Magnolia Drive, Auburn.
“Tough times never last, but tough people do.” – Robert H. Schuller
Today’s
Scripture “Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves and live in peace with each other.” –Mark 9:50
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Today’s
Letters to the Editor
Legal opinions on gun control should be left with lawyers Dear Editor, This responds to Billy Sellers’ announcement that he is placing all retail stores, public facilities, and government facilities on notice that they are liable for following the law and whatever safety issues that might occur in those facilities because they disallow fire-
arms. Billy, I’d suggest we leave that argument up to those who have legal training, none of which I have, nor do I suspect, you. That said, one of the many wonderful things about our country is that we all have freedom of choice. People
have fought and died to maintain such freedoms. So why not save yourself stress, exercise that freedom, and simply not frequent those places? Dick Bronson Lake Martin
It’s time to start ‘imposing Christian beliefs’ on youngsters Dear Editor, This week I finished one book and started two others, surprisingly all of which expressed the same sentiment. That three books support my opinion, the breakdown of the traditional family strengthens socialism, is a plus for them in my mind. The first was Jessie Lee Peterson’s “The Antidote.” Peterson is a black man who was born and grew up on a plantation down close to Eufaula. His father was absent, but his grandfather was present and made sure Jessie was up early every day, to go to school or work. Granddad also taught him how to use tools so he was able to get and keep jobs later in life. He now lives in the greater LA area and is particularly concerned about how the absent father figure leads to less preparation for jobs and greater numbers of black men’s incarceration because Uncle Sam doesn’t fill the role model bill. His opinion is that two parent families have less need for government inter-
vention, therefore less interest in socialistic policies. Michael Savage, of The Savage Nation, in his new book “Government Zero” is concerned for the growing Socialism here and in Israel, possibly leading to Iran holding a nuclear bomb over the Israelis to force them to turn over part of Israel to be made into the Palestinian State Dennis Prager in “The Ten Commandments,” gives his opinion that “if not the Ten Commandments then what?” will be put in their place? The Ten Commandments and the Golden Rule are the foundation of our culture and legal system. If there is no God, no higher power, then each Commandment and the handling of all the antisocial behaviors mentioned in the Ten Commandments are just people’s opposing opinions. Prager also feels that the breakdown of the family and parent’s failure to insist on being respected, rather than being a buddy, eventually
leads to loss of respect for both parents and authority figures. Our society, especially churches and schools, that are now bowing down to the liberal agenda, are going to have to start “imposing Christian beliefs” on youngsters and stand up to the ACLU and the SPLC’s Communist agenda. The above is a quote from the ACLU to black preachers who went out to give support to youths in the Montgomery area who had been arrested. The Liberty Council is one of the organizations that will aide with legal support if needed. The coach fired for leading prayer after a game is their newest project. If you are interested in supporting one of these organizations any sized donation is appreciated. If you want to keep your support and money at home, support your local church and don’t fail to voice your opinion! That’s my opinion today, Sherry Sellers 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 50 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.
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Thursday, January 21, 2016
Thursday, January 21, 2016
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January 21, 2016 Today’s Events
WINE TASTING: Emporium Wine will host a wine tasting event from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 128 Calhoun Street, Alexander City. There is no charge for this event. PUBLIC MEETING: The
January 22
MARDI GRAS AUCTION: St. James Episcopal Church will host live and silent auctions at this inaugural event to support the Feast of Sharing ministry, which provides free meals twice a week at First United Methodist Church to some 100 people in need. Auction items will include original art, a Russell Marine wakeboarding package, framed photography by Kenneth Boone, handmade pottery items, a vacation at the beach for the whole family, the Rev. Rob Iler’s handyman services for a day and more. There will be beer, wine and nonalcoholic beverages, hors d’oeuvres, desserts and entertainment. Tickets are $25 per person and can be reserved by calling St. James Episcopal Church at 256-234-4752. For information, contact Heidi Ross at 256-794-7010 or Susan Mange at 601-431-8239. FREE SPEECH AND HEARING SCREENING: The Auburn University NSSLHA and SAA are having a free speech and hearing screening Friday, January 22 from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.. No appointment is necessary. All children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Please note that very young or handicapped individuals may not be able to respond to the speech hearing screening and may require a more formal evaluation at a later appointment date. Services will be provided by the Auburn University Speech and Hearing Clinic Room 1199 Haley Center.
January 23
BINGO NIGHT: Bibb Graves School in Millerville is hosting family bingo night Jan. 23 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. TRASH WALK: The next PATH Trash Walk is scheduled for Saturday, January 23 at 9:00 AM. We will meet at the fountain in front of Jake’s Restaurant to receive supplies and assignments. Come out and join your friends and neighbors for a healthy walk while removing unsightly litter from the roadways of the “most scenic� county in Alabama. For additional information contact John Thompson at jthompson@ lmra.info LAKE MARTIN POLAR PLUNGE: Lake Martin Young Professionals hosts its inaugural Polar Plunge, 11 AM, Saturday, January 23 at Kowaliga Restaurant on Lake Martin! Join LMYP as they take the PLUNGE to support the Lake Martin Resource Association and Lake Martin by diving in during the dead of winter. Tickets are $20 to take the plunge and $30 if you’re too chicken. Tickets include a LMYP Polar Plunge tee shirt, all-day access to live music, games, food/drink specials to Kowaliga Restaurant, and a whiskey warm-up tent. Everyone is encouraged to attend. ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION: Sisters In Christ Gospel Singers Anniversary Celebration, Saturday, Jan. 23 at 6 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 24 at 2:30 p.m. at Sardis M.B. Church, Dadeville, Rev. William Perry Jr., Pastor. Guests include Voices of Faith, Pell City, Shiloh Spirituals, Eclectic, Greg & Joyful Experience, Columbus, GA, Proverbs 31, Talladega, Bishop Thomas Weaver, Roanoke, Gospel Voices, Hollins, Traveling Harrells, Alex City, Sister Alice Lewis, Wadley and many more! Special Guest MC - Minister David Butler. All Groups, Choirs & Soloists are our “Special Guests� and everyone is invited to attend.
January 24
Small Space Advertising Works! call the
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PASTORAL ANNIVERSARY: New Hope Baptist Church in Camp Hill will celebrate its 12th pastor’s anniversary honoring Rev. and Sister Henry Cooper Sunday, Jan. 24 at 11 a.m. Rev. Jimmy Thomas and Mt. Zion East Baptist Church will be our guest minister. SINGING AND FELLOWSHIP: The Kempters will be singing at Old Union Baptist Church Sunday, Jan. 24 at 5 p.m. Come out and join us for some great singing and fellowship.
Tallapoosa County Commission/ Emergency Management Agency is scheduling a public meeting on January 21 at 10 a.m. to update its Hazard Mitigation Plan. The meeting will take place at the Tallapoosa County Courthouse, Dadeville in the Extension Auditorium downstairs. The public, private non-profits, municipalities, school board, universities/colleges, utility/water/sewer boards, fire
January 25
HORIZONS UNLIMITED: Steve Flowers will be the speaker for Horizons Unlimited Jan. 25 at the Alexander City Board of Education from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATION MEETING: The first meeting of the year for the Alexander City Area Ministerial Association will be Jan. 25 at 6:30 p.m. at River of Life Worship Center on Cherokee Road. Serious, prayerful, focused attention will be given to purpose, activities, and continuation of this ministerial association. Time will also be used for fellowship, sharing, and intercessory prayer. All Christian minister are invited. For more information, contact Bill Middlebrooks, acting secretary at 256234-3371. QUARTERLY MEETING: The Lake Martin Area Industrial Development Authority will have its quarterly meeting on Monday, Jan. 25 at 10 a.m. in the Betty Carol Graham Technology Center Executive Board Room on the campus of Central Alabama Community College.
January 26
ANNUAL MEETING: The Dadeville Area Chamber of Commerce will host its annual meeting and awards banquet Tuesday, Jan. 26 for 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 460 Camp Civitan Road in Dadeville. There will be an awards presentation, installation of 2016 officers, displays by chamber members, drawing for door prizes, dinner and a cash bar. For more information call the chamber at 256-825-4019.
January 28- February 27
REVELATION BIBLE STUDY: Family Worship Center is having Revelation Bible Study presented by Dr. Albert Pike beginning Jan. 28 through Feb. 27. It will be Thursdays and Fridays at 6 p.m. and Saturdays at 9 a.m.
January 30
ART WORKSHOP: The Artist Association of Central Alabama is hosting a Zantangle Art Workshop Jan 30 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the United Way Conference Room. Cost is $35 for members and $45 for non-members, all supplies included. Call Martha McKnight at 256-8256503 or Dottie Holdren at 256-377-4918 with questions or to register. PANCAKE BREAKFAST: The Pine Ridge Mission team will have its’ annual Pancake breakfast on Saturday, Jan. 30 from 7 a.m. - 10 a.m. at the Alexander City Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. The plates are $6 and include 2 big pancakes, sausage, fruit and drink options. The proceeds help fund the teams’ annual trip to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation including VBS and Community outreach projects.
January 31
BIG DAY: Lake Pointe Baptist Church invites everyone to celebrate a Big Day for the church on Sunday, January 31, 2016, beginning at 10 AM. Lake Pointe is a new church and the new pastor will be introducing the church strategy of “Come! Let Us Build!� in the morning worship on January 31st. The worship music will be led by Anthony Counts, former pastor of Mountain View Baptist Church in Wetumpka. Faron Golden, pastor at Lake Pointe, will be sharing the church’s plan for serving the community and surrounding area through the message from God’s Word. Lake Pointe is located at 8352 Highway 50, Dadeville, Alabama 36853, and is just a short drive from Tallassee. Everyone is welcome. SINGING: Bay Pine Baptist Church in Jacksons Gap will host The Dye’s for a singing Jan. 31 at 10:30 a.m.
February 1
HORIZONS UNLIMITED: Dr.
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departments, and elected officials are among those invited and encouraged to attend. Participation is required in order to apply for federal hazard mitigation grants in the future.
Today’s Birthdays
Angie Robinson, Eddie Otralik, Tim East, Debbie Miller, William “Drew� Hickman, Andy Mask, Jaden Glenn, and Garett Clark are celebrating birthdays today. Mark Conversino will be the speaker for Horizons Unlimited Feb. 1 at the Alexander City Board of Education from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
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February 4
BASEBALL/SOFTBALL REGISTRATION: The Alexander City Baseball/Softball Registration will be at Radney Elementary School Thursday, Feb. 4 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Cost is $75. Late registration will be Monday, Feb. 8 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Sportplex Baseball Tower at a cost of $100.
February 5
BASEBALL/SOFTBALL REGISTRATION: The Alexander City Baseball/Softball Registration will be at Radney Elementary School Friday, Feb. 5 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Cost is $75. Late registration will be Monday, Feb. 8 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Sportplex Baseball Tower at a cost of $100.
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February 20
PANCAKE BREAKFAST: The Alexander City Kiwanis Club is hosting its annual pancake breakfast Feb. 20 from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the BRHS Lunchroom. The breakfast is all you can eat and there will be Conecuh Sausage. Tickets are $6 each.
Ongoing Events DISNEY WORLD TRIP: The Learning Community Outreach Initiative is sponsoring a trip to Disney World March 20-24. All who are interested should contact Rico Kelly at 256-7940397 or Wanda Zachery at 256-7943365. WOMAN MEETING: Every first Sunday, Victory Temple Holiness Church hosts a woman’s meeting, at 237 Aster St. in Dadeville. Everyone is invited. The meeting starts at 2 p.m. READY TO WORK: Ready to Work is a FREE jobs skills training program offered at Central Alabama Community College Career Center. Classes meet Monday through Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. until noon. Completion of the program depends on the skill level of the individual. For more information contact Elaine Balint, instructor, at 256-215-4496 (leave message) or ebalint@cacc.edu. OFFICE CAREERS: The Office Careers Technology program is funded by the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and was created to help dislocated workers learn new employable skills. To qualify for the programs be a dislocated worker (layoff) or a low income family. Anyone interested in the classes should contact the Alexander City Career Center @ 256-215-4494 and ask about the WIOA program. Most all dislocated workers automatically qualify for financial assistance. The program is 52 weeks and is open entry/open exit. Students learn at their own pace in a non-traditional classroom setting. Classes begin when students are approved and they may leave when they receive any or all of the certificates offered. Classes are Monday--Thursday, 8:00 a.m.--3:00 p.m. (with a lunch break). All textbooks and class materials are supplied. Certificates available are receptionist, inventory clerk, data entry clerk, administrative assistant, accounting office clerk, medical office clerk, legal office clerk. CELEBRATE RECOVERY: Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered ministry designed to help hurting people. It is made up of regular folks who are on a journey toward wholeness; seeking recovery from life’s hurts, habits, and hang-ups. We meet every Monday at Vertical Point Church, 860 Airport Drive, Alex City. We begin with dinner at 5:45, followed by large group at 6:15 & small groups at 7:15. Childcare is provided. Everyone is welcome. For more info, call Mike at 256-496-4664.
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ROBERT HUDSON SPORTS EDITOR (256) 234-4281 X228
sports@alexcityoutlook.com
Page 8
Thursday, January 21, 2016
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FOOTBALL REGIONS REALIGNED Benjamin Russell adds Wetumpka to region, Dadeville adds rival Tallassee By Robert Hudson & Cory Diaz Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc.
While no local teams changed classifications, they will each have to get used to a few new neighbors. The Alabama High School Athletic Association Central Board unanimously approved the new alignment for all sports for the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 calendar years on Wednesday. In football, the Benjamin Russell Wildcats remained in Class 6A, Region 3. The Wildcats’ region will still include Opelika, Chilton County and Chelsea. However, the region dropped Valley, Oxford and Pell City, adding Helena and Pelham of Shelby County along with Wetumpka High School of Elmore County. Benjamin Russell football Coach Danny Horn said the region will be tough, as only two of its teams – Chilton County and Pelham – did not make the playoffs last season. “It was a pretty tough region the last few years, and I believe it just got tougher. I know Wetumpka had a young team last year, but they made the playoffs,” Horn said. “Every team on it, except for Pelham and Chilton County, made the playoffs last season. It’s a pretty tough region.” Horn said a big positive for the new Region 3 alignment is that the majority of its teams are clustered around U.S. Highway 280, making for easier travel this season. “The thing I like is that everything is up 280 except Chilton County, and of course every one of them is pretty close to each other,” Horn said. “I don’t think it’s quite as far as we traveled last year. It’s a good region and I think it will be a very competitive region with some good teams in it. We’ll see how it goes.” In Class 4A, the Dadeville Tigers narrowly avoided what would have been the biggest change for any school in the area. Listed with an enrollment of 297.3, Dadeville will be the smallest 4A school in the state and has less than one student more than the state’s largest 3A school. Dadeville Coach Richard White said that being the smallest school in 4A may seem like an uphill battle, but added the Tigers have grown familiar with the classification as they have been in 4A since 2010. “We’re the bottom in 4A. We’re the last school, but we’ve been in 4A for four years and we’ve got good relationships with the teams in our region that we play,” White said. “The one we’re adding is a rival anyway, so that’s good money at the gate.
File Photos / The Outlook
NeColby Maxwell, above left, and Benjamin Russell will welcome three new foes to 6A-Region 3 next season. The Dadeville and Tallassee Tigers, above right, will meet on the gridiron in 2016 as region opponents after the Alabama High School Athletic Association reclassification.
We’ll have to see how it goes once we start playing.” Dadeville’s region – Class 4A, Region 3 – remains largely the same, returning Childersburg, Elmore County, Handley, Holtville, Leeds and Munford. However, the region added a familiar foe in rival Tallassee, which drops down from Class 5A. Dadeville and Tallassee have played on the gridiron four consecutive years in the non-region slate and have been rivals for decades, including last year’s 28-22 win by Tallassee. White said he welcomes the familiarity of the region, but said it will be the toughest in Class 4A. “I think it’s going to be the strongest region in 4A football. No doubt. You could shake this region up and move teams from it to other regions and they’d probably win them,” White said. “Region 1 is always tough because they’ve got UMSWright and Andalusia is coming on there, but Region 3 to me is the strongest region top to bottom.” Another pair of Tallapoosa County rivals will see their football region also remain largely intact. Reeltown and Horseshoe Bend remain in Class 2A, Region 5, which also returns LaFayette, Lanett, Ranburne and Woodland, while losing Randolph County.
Region 5 also adds Fayetteville from 2A, Region 4, which finished 9-3 last season. The region also adds Vincent from 2A, Region 4, which was winless in 2015. Central High School of Coosa County also saw minimal changes as it will remain in Class 3A, Region 3 with B.B. Comer, Montgomery Academy, Beulah and Prattville Christian, while losing Fultondale and Midfield. Replacing that pair in Coosa’s region will be Southside-Selma, which finished 2-8 last season in Class 4A-Region 1, and Pike County, which finished 9-2 in Class 3A-Region 2 in 2015. While a total of 72 schools moved up or down in the process, there were no major shakeups as the AHSAA counted ninth-grade hold backs, along with grades 10-12, for the first time. “I’m sure it was somewhat easier,” Board president Mike Welsh said. “Two years ago, they had to come to the table prepared with both seven and six classes, and the seventh class wasn’t approved until the board meeting. It’s been a tedious worry. We keep fairness and consistency with travel first, after we’ve got the enrollment from each school laid out.” Class 7A remained at 32 teams for football, while Class 6A-3A have 59 schools and 2A and 1A each contain 58. The Central Board dispelled
CLASS 6A REGION 3
2015 RECORD
Opelika 12-1 Ben. Russell 12-2 Chelsea 7-4 Chilton Co. 4-6 Helena* 9-3 Wetumpka* 4-7 Pelham* 1-9 CLASS 4A REGION 3
2015 RECORD
CLASS 3A REGION 3
Montgomery Aca. Central-Coosa B.B. Comer Beulah Prattville Chr. Pike County* Southside-Selma* CLASS 2A REGION 5
Leeds 13-2 Ranburne Munford 10-4 LaFayette Dadeville 6-6 Reeltown Handley 8-3 Lanett Elmore Co. 6-4 Woodland Childersburg 2-8 Horseshoe Bend Holtville 0-10 Fayetteville* Tallassee* 5-6 Vincent* *Denotes new addition to region rumors of 7A expanding with the approved plan, and AHSAA executive director Steve Savarese noted that adding more schools would’ve defeated the purpose of creating the seventh class. “I know there were rumors about 48 teams in Class 7A,” Savarese said. “It is easy to come up with a thought process, but
2015 RECORD
9-2 5-6 4-6 1-9 3-7 9-2 2-8
2015 RECORD
10-2 6-5 6-5 5-5 2-8 0-10 9-3 0-10
it has to be practical and fit our requirements. Once you go past 32, you start having nine-team regions, and our schools don’t want nine-team regions except where it saves egregious travel.” Football will continue on the 11-week, 10-game schedule it’s been on since the addition of Class 7A.
Wildcats drop home match against Oak Mountain Staff Report The Outlook
The Benjamin Russell Wildcats wrestling team dropped its home match to Oak Mountain on Tuesday night. Oak Mountain defeated Benjamin Russell 66-10 on the mat on Tuesday at the BRHS Gymnasium. In the 113-pound match, Oak Mountain’s Miguel Vasquez defeated Braxton Ray by pinfall in two minutes, 53 seconds, and Oak Mountain’s Blake Randle defeated Benjamin Russell’s Michael Parker by pinfall in one minute, 34 seconds in the 126pound match. In the 132-pound match, Oak Mountain’s Fred Buird pinned Benjamin Russell’s Scott Johnson in 19 seconds, and in the 145pound match Oak Mountain’s Mingyu Lee won over Benjamin Russell’s Jytarious Harvey by pinfall in three minutes, 39 seconds.
Oak Mountain’s Hall Morton won the 152-pound match against Benjamin Russell’s Jamarez Hall by 13-2 majority decision. At 170-pounds, Oak Mountain’s Barrett Blakely defeated Benjamin Russell’s Thomas Coley by a 5-0 decision, and at 182 pounds Coleman Reeves of Oak Mountain defeated Benjamin Russell’s Ryan Green by pinfall in one minute, 46 seconds. Oak Mountain’s Jaried Buxton won the 195-pound match against Benjamin Russell’s Marquel Jackson by technical fall 18-2 in three minutes, two seconds, and Oak Mountain 220-pounder Jordan Davis defeated Benjamin Russell’s Alex Dean by pinfall in one minute, 47 seconds. In the 285-pound match, Benjamin Russell’s Daniel Bland defeated Oak Mountain’s Armond Lloyd by 11-3 majority decision. Benjamin Russell will compete next in the Beauregard Duals on Jan. 23.
Robert Hudson / The Outlook
Benjamin Russell’s Daniel Bland, left, tries to pin Oak Mountain’s Armond Lloyd during Tuesday night’s match in Alexander City.