OPINION: BE PREPARED FOR STORM BUT DON’T GO CRAZY, PAGE 4.
THURSDAY
THE
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
WHAT’S HAPPENING? LOCAL, PAGE 10.
January 5, 2017
Vol. 125, No. 3
www.alexcityoutlook.com
SPORTS, PAGE 9
Lady Cougars take win over Clay Central
Landfill’s life estimated at 46 months City Engineer and Public Works Director Gerard Brewer uses a 3D computer model to show the remaining capacity of the Inert Landfill off North Central.
Officials hope to get ball rolling towards new facility By MITCH SNEED Editor
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
Alexander City Public Works Director and City Engineer Gerard Brewer knows that some people may feel like he is the city’s version of the boy who cried wolf when it comes to talk of the quickly vanishing capacity of the city’s existing inert landfill on North Central. But now Brewer has evidence to
show that the facility has less than four years of life left. “I know what people say, ‘he’s been saying four years for 10 years,’” Brewer said. “But that was before we cut out the use by the surrounding counties and limited its use to just city residents. That extended the life some, but this latest data shows that we don’t have long at all.” Using a computer program that takes images of the landfill over the
years, Brewer has built a 3D model that shows the remaining space left at the facility. Rather than a deep crate to fill, the city’s inert landfill is left with a pothole. “But using this technology we were able to calculate the remaining capacity,” Brewer said. “The data shows that we have 115,000 cubic yards left. On average, without any big storms or events, we take See LANDFILL • Page 3
Salvation Army rings in new year with big haul
TO SNOW OR NOT TO SNOW? Area prepares for possibility of winter flurries
By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
The chance of a wintery precipitation seems likely for Friday and Saturday but as of now Tallapoosa County is just flirting with the possibility of a wintry mix. According to National Weather Service Meteorologist Gary Goggans, somewhere in Alabama will likely see winter precipitation. In Goggans’ Wednesday update with state leaders and first responders, he did not want to mention any accumulations just yet. “We are looking at the potential for winter weather Friday through Saturday,” Goggans said in the teleconference. “This is Alabama. Even a halfinch is a big deal. We are not going to See WEATHER • Page 3
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
First responders and officials listen in on the latest weather briefing from the National Weather Service Wednesday.
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Nealie Mae Hoyett poses for a photograph in her Goodwater home Monday. Hoyett, a Goodwater native, will celebrate her 100th birthday today.
By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
:
Goodwater woman marks centennial celebration
Goodwater native and resident Nealie Mae Hoyett is approaching a milestone. Thursday she will celebrate her 100th birthday and her grandchildren attribute her longevity to the life she has lived. “She ain’t ever smoked,” granddaughter Franita Kelly said. “She ain’t ever drank, don’t curse, none of that.” “I ain’t ever heard her say a curse word,” granddaughter Jacqueline Girven said. Besides not taking up some vices, Girven says
it could be her taking care of others. “Taking care of people is all she has ever done,” Girven said. “That is the reason she is so blessed.” Hoyett raised more than just her only son, Robert Lee Edison. “She has been taking care of people all of her life,” Girven said. “She took care of her son. She had myself and my sister (Kelly) since we were babies. And she helped raise my sister’s boys. We are her grandchildren but she raised us. We call her momma.” Hoyett has one son, two grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, 10 great-great grandchildren See CENTENNIAL • Page 3
The local Salvation Army reported that its holiday Red Kettle fundraising campaign exceeded its seasonal goal by more than a thousand dollars. The Alexander City Service Center Manager Tabatha Glassburn chalked it up to the giving nature of the community and their volunteers. However Glassburn said the local charity defied a number of odds in getting this year’s $35,132. She said it was not until the last three days of the campaign from Dec. 22-24 that they caught up with the amount they received during the 2015 holiday season. Glassburn said they were down by roughly $2,000. “I was positive we were not going to make the goal,” said Glassburn. She said they also had fewer volunteers than last year, and as a result, fewer See GIVING • Page 3
Need a thin mint? Girl Scout cookies are on the way By MITCH SNEED Editor
Are you jonesing for a thin mint? How about that peanut buttery sandwich cookie the Do-si-do or the tagalong? Good news. You won’t have to wait much longer. Girls all over Alabama, including here in Tallapoosa County, are gearing up for the annual Girl Scout Cookie Sales program, which begins Friday, Jan. 20. Each year Girl Scouts learn valuable lessons from the program that each will be able to use later in life, according to Shannon Bost, field executive for Girl Scouts of
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Southern Alabama. “The girls learn how to be saleswomen, they learn math in a way that is fun for them,” Bost said. “They have friends and family work for them and they learn how to use their resources. Plus, this is the way we raise funds for all the activities that Girl Scouts are involved in.” Through the program, girls also manage inventory, set goals, learn money management and develop marketing skills, according to a statement released by the Girl Scouts. Proceeds from the program also go to support programs for girls and training for volunteers across
the area. “It’s our largest source of revenue,” Bost said. “The girls vote on what they want to do with the money. Some go on trips and others save up for years to do something bigger. It’s up to the troop about what they do.” With this year’s sale Girl Scouts are introducing a new cookie to its lineup. The new cookie will offer a s’mores-inspired crispy graham cookie double-dipped in a crème icing and enrobed in a chocolaty coating. This take on the time-honored campfire treat was developed in response to popular consumer See COOKIES • Page 3
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
Need a cookie fix? Girl Scout cookies ramp up sales later this month featuring a new S’mores flavored cookie.
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
485.80 Time to Get Your Own Place? Reported on 1/04/16 @ 45 p.m.
Find your answer in the Outlook Classifieds – in print and online! LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443 6
54708 90050 USPS Permit # 013-080
8
laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL
Call Classifieds – 256.277.4219
FOR RENT
1 BEDROOM APT. Move in tomorrow. Afford able monthly re nt. Call Norma 5556300.