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January 4, 2017 Vol. 125, No. 2 www.alexcityoutlook.com
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New Site gets news on water projects that runs into the Highway 22 pumping station, generators at two pumping stations to make sure that even when power is out the water flow continues, fixing pressure New Site has a laundry list of water system needs and issues in Goldville, installing fire hydrants and installing an Monday night the Town Council got some promising news automated meter reading system. on ways they may be able to address all the needs in a cost“We have an issue in Goldville that I would say is our effective manner. No. 1 priority,” New Site Mayor Phil Blasingame. “We After hearing from Jeff Harrison of CDG Engineering don’t want to have any water issues there or anywhere. I’d and Quinton Harris of the United States Department of like to see if there is a way to upgrade it all at one time.” Agriculture’s Rural Development department, town leaders While the cost of installing a Constant Pressure Station learned that while they face the potential of more than in Goldville was estimated at $65,000 by Harrison, the $500,000 in projects, they could be able to get it done total cost less engineering fees and the cost of the fire using a combination of grants and low interest loans. hydrant work was estimated at $520,000. Harrison laid out the projects that were defined as big USDA Rep. Harris said that in looking at the needs, which included an upgrade of their main supply line preliminary numbers, the town would likely be eligible for
By MITCH SNEED Editor
a grant that would cover between 45 to 75 percent of the cost, with low interest loans available for the remainder through USDA. “Even at the low end, we are looking at the possibility of $234,000 in grants that could be potentially available,” Harris said. No vote was taken on moving forward with hiring an engineer to get the application started, but Harrison agreed to get the final numbers for projects including the hydrants and have it ready for the Jan. 17 meeting. But Blasingame was excited about the possibility. “We kicked that can down the road before and we need to start getting it done,” Blasingame said. “When I heard See NEW SITE • Page 5
NEW YEARS BABIES Russell Medical
From soaked to slushy?
welcomes first infants of 2017
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Russell Medical may not have been blessed with a baby on New Years but things shaped up with two newborns on Jan. 2. The first baby of 2017 is Tristan Jacboy Corbin. “For a minute I was shocked when they told me he was the first of year,” Tristan’s mother Jennifer Corbin said. “It is a blessing though.” As they do every year, the New Years babies and their mothers were given gift baskets. “The baskets include items from area businesses to help celebrate the occasion,” Russell Medical’s Jessica Sanford said. “The hospital and gift store also included a few items.” The baskets included gifts from Carlisle’s, Grace’s Flowers, Jackson’s Drugstore, Lynn’s Hallmark, The Medicine Shoppe,
Jennifer Corbin holds Tristan Jacboy Corbin for a photograph with Russell Medical nurse Danielle Conner Tuesday morning. Tristan was the first baby of 2017 in the area and was born Jan. 2 at 8:36 a.m. He weighed in at 6 pounds, five ounces and measured 18 and half inches in length. Below, Selena Holley holds Avah Elizabeth Lamberth with father Andrew Lamberth Tuesday for a photograph with Russell Medical nurse Candy Riddle. Avah was also born Jan. 2 but at 1:44 p.m. She weighed in at six pounds, 10 ounces and measured 18 and half inches.
See BABIES • Page 5
Today’s
Weather
56 33 High
Low
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
485.48 Reported on 1/03/16 @ 6 p.m.
LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443
laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL
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54708 90050 USPS Permit # 013-080
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Area sees little damage from storms, now awaits word on snow By MITCH SNEED Editor
Tallapoosa County survived Monday’s storms and deluge of rain relatively well, according to local officials. Now the area turns its attention to the possibility of snow later this week. Tallapoosa County Emergency Management Agency Director Jason Moran said a briefing with National Weather Service and State EMA officials is planned for this morning at 11 a.m. to discuss the latest forecast. “We are hearing the same thing that everyone else is, but it’s too far out to tell for sure on this weekend,” Moran said Tuesday. “We will get further information Wednesday and I hope to know more then.” Birmingham’s Jim Spann of ABC 33/40 confirmed that outlook. “Forecast model soundings show the atmosphere certainly will be cold enough for snow over the northern third of the state, with rain for the See WEATHER • Page 11
Gas prices inching up in the area STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
In Alexander City, fuel can be found for $2.05 a gallon and as high as $2.29 depending on the location. Drivers are experiencing “It is starting to climb back higher gas prices in Tallapoosa County and across the state as up there,” Kyle Longmire said prices have jumped an average while fueling up at Cherokee of 4.2 cents per gallon over the Quick Stop Tuesday morning. last week. The increase means “I don’t like paying more, but it still beats the $3 a gallon we that motorists can no longer find fuel at less than $2 gallon had there for awhile. Hopefully it will get back down under $2 locally. like it was.” According to GasBuddy. While the prices are com, the average price in higher than last week and Alexander City is $2.10 per last year, Alabama motorists gallon and $2.12 on average are faring better than many statewide. That information are nationally. The national comes from the survey of average rose 6.6 cents per 3,348 gas outlets across the state, according to GasBuddy. See GAS • Page 11
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
A motorist fuels up Tuesday at Cherokee Quick Stop. Drivers are paying slightly more this week for gas than last week and much more than at the time last year, according to GasBuddy.com
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