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January 23, 2018 Vol. 126, No. 16 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
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Flu believed to have played role in four local deaths By MITCH SNEED Editor
While state health officials and local medical care providers have not released news of any recent Tallapoosa County deaths where the flu has been the confirmed cause, it is believed that the virus has played a role in at least four local deaths. The most recent cases are a 65-yearold Dadeville woman and her 50-yearold daughter. The daughter died at
home Jan. 18, while the mother passed two days later at East Alabama Medical Center, a source close to the family confirmed. While both had other health issues, both had the flu at the time of their passing. A 53-year-old man and a 92-year-old woman also passed and at the time of their death both were showing flu-like symptoms. In addition to having contracted influenza, they too had other medical issues. “We are aware that influenza-like
Waterfront property suit continues
Health has been notified of both adult and pediatric deaths suspected to be flu-related,â€? Harris said. “After those reports come in, our epidemiologists work to confirm the cause of death. They have to have a positive test or other information that would confirm that the virus was the sole cause of death. That process takes a little time. At this point in the process, none of these cases have been confirmed as being influenza-related.â€? See FLU • Page 3
‘TO KILL A PREACHER’
By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Arguments over motions to dismiss a lawsuit over the sale of waterfront property by the StillWaters Residential Association has been continued. Judge Tom Young Jr. will now hear arguments March 14 at the courthouse in Dadeville. Property owners Lana Williamson and Marian Edel filed suit against the association, Association Board Secretary Pamela Alexander and her husband John, Hubert and Sarah Starzer and others Dec. 1. The suit follows a board approved sale in July 2015 of lakefront property in the resort to the Alexanders and Starzers with a sale price far below market value. The deeds for the sale were recorded in December 2015 and January 2016. Since being served notice of the suit the Alexanders and members of the association board through their attorney Russell Balch of Auburn filed motions to dismiss and for a for a more definite statement as did the Starzers through their attorney Mitch Gavin of See SUIT • Page 3
illness activity is increased in seven of the eight public health districts,� said Alabama’s Acting Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris. “We have also had confirmed influenza outbreaks reported at this time. Alabama recently reported “widespread� geographic spread to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.� Harris said that confirmation of the cause of death takes some time and starts with the reporting process. “The Alabama Department of Public
School board terminates food service contract By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
E. Paul Jones speaks to audience members of his presentation on Rev. William Maxwell to Horizons Unlimited on Monday afternoon.
Local author speaks on ‘Voodoo Preacher’ By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
A crowd of around 80 people filled the Alexander City Board of Education building Monday afternoon to hear local author and former District Attorney E. Paul Jones discuss the story of “The Voodoo Preacher,� Reverend Will Maxwell, the subject of his forthcoming book titled “To Kill a Preacher� during the latest ses-
sion of Horizons Unlimited. Jones began his talk by discussing some of his personal history, how he worked at Russell Mills while putting himself through law school and was an Assistant District Attorney under Tom Young, Sr., before spending a great deal of time recounting the story of the up to six potential murders Reverend Maxwell committed between 1970 and 1977. See JONES • Page 9
In a meeting that had been rescheduled twice, the Alexander City Board of Education voted to terminate the system’s food service management contract with Southwest Foodservice Excellence. Since moving to Southwest over the summer of 2017, Alexander City School Superintendent Dr. Darrell Cooper and Chief School Financial Officer Rhonda Blythe said things have not gone as smoothly as the board hoped. “We had a conversation where we asked for a few changes and adjustments,â€? Blythe said. “They did make changes, but they didn’t make enough based on what they were asked to do.â€? This included a near-constant battle over the system used to determine nutritional values of the food being served and an issue over holiday pay for employees. “Neither Southwest nor us were truly satisfied with everything,â€? Cooper said. With the contract having been terminated, the board is opening up bids for any interested groups. These groups will have to be present at the central office Friday at 10 a.m. in order to submit a bid, according to See BOE • Page 9
Federal shutdown has impact locally By MITCH SNEED Editor
While it looks like the federal government is on its way back to being open after being shutdown Saturday morning, many local residents may not have realized the impact the stoppage had locally. While mail still ran, the military got paid and most airtraffic controllers remained on the job, the National Parks were immediately locked down – including Horseshoe Bend National Military Park near
Today’s
Daviston. The gates at the park were locked and a sign tells potential visitors the move is due to the federal government shutdown. For one Fort Payne couple, the closure caught them by surprise Sunday. “We had been in Opelika for a convention and I am a history buff,â€? Mike Patterson said Sunday after he found the closed sign. “We planned all along to head back home this way just to come to Horseshoe Bend. We rarely get down this See SHUTDOWN • Page 3
Lake Martin
Weather Lake Levels
57 32 High
Low
484.04
Reported on 01/22/18 @ 4 p.m.
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
National Parks, including Horseshoe Bend, were immediately locked down as the government shutdown began Saturday morning.
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