AREA BASEBALL TEAMS GET READY FOR 2016 SEASON. SEE SPORTS, PAGE 8.
OPINION: GET INVOLVED BECAUSE YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
FRIDAY
THE
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892 January 8, 2016
Vol. 124, No. 6
www.alexcityoutlook.com
Local gun shops see sales shoot through the roof By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Some of the most popular handguns for sale at Sure Shot include these revolvers and semi-automatics.
Local retailers have seen an increase in gun sales in the past few years and especially the last few months following events in Europe and the U.S. “We are seeing an extreme spike in sales,” Sure Shot’s Wood Baird said. “After Paris sales went up. After San Bernardino, CA, they almost doubled.” Baird and Tim Hunt with the
Sportsman Outpost in Waverly have seen a trend in the sales. “I am selling more now to first time buyers than I ever have,” Baird said. “I have elderly couples coming in to buy for the first time. I have young couples coming to buy for the first.” “We have a lot of first time buyers coming in,” Hunt said. “ We are also having a lot of people coming in who have handled guns all their life but are now going and getting a conceal carry permit and
Same-sex licenses still issued locally
purchasing handguns.” Both Baird and Hunt said that Tuesday’s remarks by President Barack Obama did not spark the recent sales. “They have been going up for months,” Baird said. Since Obama took office in 2009, background checks due to gun sales in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) have almost See GUNS • Page 3
COULD THIS BE YOUR LIFE’S CALLING?
Archer: Despite Moore, U.S. Supreme Court ruling is ‘law of the land’ By MITCH SNEED Editor
Despite an order issued Wednesday by Alabama’s Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore, the Tallapoosa County Probate Court along with several others across the state have decided to follow directives handed down by the United State Supreme Court when it comes to same-sex marriages. Moore issued a document called an administrative order Wednesday, which ordered the state’s probate judges not to issue marriage license to same-sex couples. The order contradicts a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court last year that legalized samesex marriage in America. Tallapoosa County Probate Court Judge Leon Archer said Thursday that his office would still issue licenses to any couple who walks through the door who requests them,
Photo illustration / The Outlook
The Alexander City Fire Department is seeking recruits to fill a number of positions and, “see things they never thought they would see.” T
Alex City Fire Department seeks recruits looking for a career
See LICENSES • Page 3
Today’s
Weather
60 50 High
Low
Lake Levels
486.98 Reported on 01/07/16 @ 6 p.m.
Linda Shaffer, REALTOR® C: 256.794.4641 • W: 256.329.5253 shaffer@lakemartin.net 5295 Highway 280, Alexander City, AL
54708 90050
8
USPS Permit # 013-080
If you are looking for a job, what the Alexander City Fire Department offers may not be for you. But if you are looking for a career – listen up. The Alexander City Fire Department is seeking recruits to fill a number of open slots with their
team. “I ask people who come to us that question,” ACFD Training Capt. Jeff Brewer said. “I ask if they are looking for a job or a career. This is a career that comes complete with an education. It’s truly a career that can become your life’s calling. That’s the kind of people we are looking for – people who want all that.”
Recruits will go through an extensive 15-week training program that includes firefighting and emergency medical technician education. “It’s not easy and this isn’t for everyone,” Brewer said. “But if you are the kind of person who is willing to make an investment in yourself See FIREFIGHTERS • Page 3
Lake Martin Young Professionals to host Polar Plunge a charity,” Meacham said. “We got to looking around. We are hosting it at Lake Martin, we are the Lake Martin Young Is a polar plunge on your bucket list? Or Professionals, so why not do it for the Lake maybe you are looking to do something fun Martin Resource Association. They do so much for the lake with clean ups and buoy to help raise funds for a worthy cause? repairs.” Either way the Lake Martin Young LMRA helps protect the lake with Professionals are organizing a polar plunge at Kowaliga Beach, Saturday Jan. 23 at 11 its buoy program and played a role in advocating for the higher winter pool level a.m. in addition to other advocacy roles. “After we reorganized back in Meacham says it will be fun for all ages. September, we started looking around at “We are going to do a count down,” things we could do,” Lake Martin Young Meacham said. “At noon everyone will Professionals’ Jacob Meacham said. take the plunge together. Then we will have “We were looking for fun things to do four hours of music from local musicians. and organizations to support. Looking at Kowaliga Restaurant will be there as well January and it being cold we thought it with food and drink.” would be fun to do a polar plunge.” It costs $10 to attend, $20 to get a t-shirt Proceeds from the event will go to and plunge and $30 to get a t-shirt and not the Lake Martin Resource Association plunge. (LMRA). It is open to all ages with fun and games “When you look around the country at for the entire family. polar plunges, they almost always benefit By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Lake Martin
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By MITCH SNEED Outlook Editor
Celebration of Life Memorial Service For Rev. Lawrence Maxwell Will be held Saturday, January 9, 2016 At Passion Church 2pm 3340 Hwy 63 N Alexander City, AL 35010
Now Playing:
Star Wars 3D – PG-13 The Revenant – R The Forest – PG
Submitted / The Outlook
Lake Martin Young Professionals will be hosting its polar plunge on January 23. Proceeds will benefit the Lake Martin Resource Association.