SPORTS, PAGE 10
THE
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FRIDAY
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January 25, 2019 Vol. 127, No. 18 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
Almost $80K taken in scams in city By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Three Alexander City residents have fallen victim to scams recently. Alexander City deputy police chief James Easterwood said the three victims had several things in common. “They were all contacted by phone
to send money,” Easterwood said. “Two were elderly.” The first victim was an 82-year-old female who gave $70,000 to scams, according to police reports. “Over a period of time an elderly lady was contacted by phone,” Easterwood said. “They told her she had won cars and $12 million. They gave her vari-
“They called claiming to be a bondsman,” Easterwood said. “She shipped cash to Jamaica, New York.” The third victim was contacted with information he had been approved for a loan. “Somebody called saying he needed to get eBay and Google cards,” See SCAMS • Page 9
ous reasons why she needed to provide money from needing to pay drivers to deliver prizes to paying attorneys.” Easterwood said relatives discovered the issue. Easterwood said the next victim, who was 78, was also contacted by phone stating a relative was in jail and needed $6,800 to be freed.
City sewer grease reduction program producing results By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
The Alexander City Public Works sewer department has been asking for the public’s help in maintaining the city’s sewer lines by reducing the amount of grease introduced to the system. To help, the sewer department started the “Cease the Grease” program with stations around town for residents to drop off grease and pick up containers to recycle the cooking by-product. “Last year we collected 576 gallons of grease through the program,” grease program director Dale Talley said. “That is grease that is not building up in the sewer lines creating future blockages.” Talley and sewer department superintendent John McWhorter said the damage grease does when disposed of down drains does not show up overnight. “Small amounts of grease build up over time,” McWhorter said. “It will eventually lead to issues in the sewer system like blockages.” Talley helped start the “Cease the Grease” program in 2017 and has helped establish sites for grease recycling. “We have stations at area apartment complexes like Sherwood Forest, Bradley Point and Pamela Manor,” Talley said. “We keep jugs there residents can take home to collect grease products and then return the jug to get another.” There is also a grease recycle station at the public works facility on Railey Road. Talley said he wants to expand the program adding sites residents can find jugs for grease recycling in high-density housing areas. See GREASE • Page 9
Potential plans ACT II talking about using city hall as performing arts center By JIMMY WIGFIELD Managing Editor
File / The Outlook
Alexander City Theatre II, shown at top performing in ‘A Very Rich Woman,’ and the city are discussing a lease agreement that would make city hall, above, a performing arts center once it is vacated.
Alexander City Theatre II and the city government are discussing a lease agreement to use the current city hall downtown as a performing arts center once it is vacated. “We feel it would fit in with the downtown arts and entertainment district,” Alexander City community development director Al Jones said. See PLANS • Page 9
Wetumpka’s recovery gaining momentum
Today’s
Weather
46 26 High
By JIMMY WIGFIELD Managing Editor
Jimmy Wigfield / The Outlook
Volunteers and officials have been working to clean up debris as the Bibb Graves Bridge is seen in the background through trees on the west bank of the Coosa River in Wetumpka on Thursday.
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