COMMUNITY COLUMNISTS INSIDE TODAY.
THE
WORKERS TAKE DOWN MASSIVE TREE, PAGE 2.
WEDNESDAY HOOPS HYSTERIA Get the results from area prep games, pages 8.
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892 January 6, 2016 Vol. 124, No. 4 www.alexcityoutlook.com
Entertainment district’s success gains attention By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer
The entertainment district in downtown Alexander City has been official since March and Alexander City MainStreet director Richard Wagoner said the the area has been the site of several successful events and continues to see new tenants and further renovation of the historic buildings. In fact, Alexander City’s entertain-
ment district even won an award from the state MainStreet organization for its promotional activity. “The events in the entertainment district have been highly successful,” said Wagoner. “Just one examples is the Rally in the Alley in October where people purchased raffle tickets for the furniture. There were a lot of people who attended and stuck around for their evening meal. I hard from both JR’s and Jake’s about the crowds they had that
night.” “What I told people was that the entertainment district was not going to be a fix-all, cure-all, but that when they had events downtown, whether they are art-type events or whatever, it would draw more people to those events,” said Jake Mixon, owner of Jake’s on Broad. “We’ve had three or four poker walks and other events that brought people downtown, so, yeah, it helped. It got people out on otherwise slow nights and
Schools prepare for the worst
Deadline set Friday for Miss Outlook entrants
STAFF REPORT Outlook Staff
The deadline to register for the 2016 Miss Outlook Calendar Girl Pageant is rapidly approaching. The pageant will be held January 22 and 23 at the Benjamin Russell High School Auditorium, but contestants must register by Tuesday, Jan. 12. “The theme this year is ‘Classic Black and White,’” said pageant chair Susanne Hayes. “It is elegant and stylish and just is a great backdrop for the event.” Decorations for this year’s pageant will include See PAGEANT • Page 5
Nominees sought for Chamber honors By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer
The Alexander City Chamber of Commerce is currently taking nominations for its annual Community Spirit and Businessperson of the Year awards. Nominations for each of the honors are being accepted through Jan. 15 and the awards will be presented at the Chamber’s annual meeting on Thursday, Jan. 28. The businessperson of the year is awarded based on an individual’s outstanding achievement, leadership, loyalty and professional dedication as well as his/her dedication to the business community of Alexander City. Nominees must be See CHAMBER • Page 5
increased business on those nights.” According to Wagoner, the area has seen several new businesses, including the Coffee Corner, winner of MainStreet’s missing piece competition, Ooh La La Creations, MXK Events, Alabama Street Maker’s Market and Irresistible. In addition, Wagoner said there are five buildings being refurbished in the area. See DISTRICT • Page 6
Table-top exercise helps educators, first-responders be prepared By MITCH SNEED Editor
Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy David McMichael, above, sets the state for a training module where school officials and first-responders work out how to handle an active shooter situation at Horseshoe Bend School. Right, Horseshoe Bend Principal James Auler presents the response points that would become priorities for his school group or team as an active shooter scenario unfolds at the school. Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
What if a school shooting happened in Tallapoosa County? While everyone hopes that never happens, school and law enforcement officials are taking steps to make sure they are prepared just in case. Participants learned the importance of developing an incident action plan, a guide that includes practices that can apply in any emergency situation. “I hope you join me in my prayers that we will never, ever have to deal with a situation like that here,” Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy David McMichael told the group gathered Tuesday at Horseshoe Bend School. “As much as we hope and pray that we never have to use it, it’s important to have a plan in place so we are prepared just in case it does.” McMichael, Tallapoosa County Emergency Management Agency Director Jason Moran, Sheriff Jimmy Abbett and Tallapoosa County Schools Superintendent Joe Windle all welcomed See SAFETY • Page ??
Today’s
Comer UMC Pancake Breakfast set Saturday
Weather
Event helps local church fund its extensive community outreach
48 32 High
By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer
On Saturday between 6 a.m and 10 a.m. – as on every other second Saturday at the same time – folks can get what are said to be among the best pancakes they’ve ever tasted. That’s when Comer Memorial United Methodist Church holds its next pancake breakfast in the Comer Memorial educational building and fellowship hall, located at 427 E. Church St. in Alexander City. “The pancakes are all you can eat dine-in, and carry-out boxes are also available,” said Donnie Pritchard, lay leader for the church. “Plates consist of pancakes, bacon, sausage or pancakes and any combination of the Submitted / The Outlook two meats. Carry-out boxes include three pancakes and any combination Volunteers help serve up meals during the recent Community Christmas Dinner at See DINNER • Page 5 Comer United Methodist Church, where more than 300 people were fed.
Low
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
487.77 Reported on 01/05/16 @ 4 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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54708 90050
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