OPINION, PAGE 4: GAINING GRANT DOLLARS IS GOOD NEWS
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Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
July 13, 2017 Vol. 125, No. 138 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
BEAR UPDATE: By MITCH SNEED Editor
It was a story that captivated residents last summer – a wayward bear traveling across the area just looking for its next meal, never showing any propensity to harm anyone or anything along the way. It was a year ago today when that young male black bear was spotted eating from a backyard bird feeder at the home of Candis Birchfield in the Union Community. That was after the bear made headlines
Jacksons Gap makes plans for new town hall Council is slowly moving ahead to purchase building
Man who shot last summer’s wayward bear fined, given 2 years on probation
several times previously, having first been spotted in Coosa County, then multiple times over several days in Tallapoosa and Chambers counties and into Lee County before being tranquilized and tagged in Opelika in late June and taken to the Tuskegee National Forest. Shortly after the bear was tagged and released, there were sightings near Tuskegee and reports of a bear being hit by a vehicle as it crossed Interstate 85. The bear managed to make its way off into the woods beside the expressway.
Apparently on July 13, 2016 when Birchfield and her daughters videotaped the bear eating and lounging in the sun, it was on its way back to where it came from. After that there was a signing near the lake and another along Highway 280 in Coosa County. Then, for months it seemed that it had just vanished back into the deep woods from where it came. That was until late fall when state wildlife File / The Outlook officials say that 22-year-old Matthew Gage This bear, seen eating from a bird Stewart of Talladega shot and killed the feeder, was killed by a hunter last See BEAR • Page 3 fall.
Kayaker’s body found in Tallapoosa River
Last year for Kitty Dark Art Camp?
By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Jacksons Gap’s Town Council is attempting to improve the town’s image not only for visitors but for its residents. The council is looking into purchasing the old radio station property for the purpose of moving the town hall for safety concerns, creating a park for residents and having space to build a bigger building for court. “The building that is out there would be for town hall,” Mayor Jeff Walker said. “We would purchase a metal building for court.” Walker explained that court is a huge issue. “Court is our main concern,” Walker said. “We don’t have enough room. If you came by here last night, the church parking lot was covered up with cars for court.” Some were questioning why not go to Highway 280, but costs and safety were an issue there for others. “We are also looking at having a park,” Councilmember Heather Glenn said. “Having children near 280 is not a good solution. Though no official action has been taken by the council, the group is forging ahead with a possible purchase. “We need to make a motion to See TOWN HALL • Page 3
By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Tiara Trotter, 13, of Slidell, Louisiana works on one of the murals with Annie Bartol at Kitty Dark’s Art Camp. For more photos from the art camp, see page 5 inside.
Children still having fun even with camp’s uncertain future By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
For 15 years area children have been returning to Kitty Dark’s Art Camp and this year might be the last. “We started because there was no art offered in the schools,” Dark said.
“We wanted to do something for the community kids to get some art in their lives. We wanted them to at least gain some appreciation for art and maybe some art skills.” This year is a little bitter sweet. “I hate to say this but this is See ART • Page 5
Officials with the Tallassee Police and Fire Departments confirmed that the body of a missing kayaker was recovered Wednesday morning. Charles Edward Stewart, 31, of Tallassee was recovered from the Tallapoosa River and pronounced dead Wednesday after becoming displaced from his kayak Tuesday on the river below Thurlow Dam. Stewart was recovered without a personal flotation device. Officials say the accident occurred shortly after 4 p.m. Tuesday, but the first call for help came at 5:20 p.m. Tuesday. Immediately, multiple agencies assisted with the search and recovery effort. Officials said ALEA’s Marine Patrol Division and Aviation Unit were assisted by the Tallassee Fire Department, Tallassee Police Department, Friendship Fire Department, Elmore County EMA, Haynes Ambulance, Haynes Lifeflight, Elmore County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team, Division Delta Dive Team, Montgomery Fire Department Dive Team, Search and Rescue of Elmore County, See DEATH • Page 3
Opening show of ‘Our Town’ set for Friday night and emphasizes the importance of relationships in life. Patti Smith of Alexander City “Our Town” opens tomorrow at The directed the production, with Libby Arbor, featuring a cast of 25, including Glass as assistant director and Denise guest appearances by members of Graves as producer. Actors include the audience. The play, which won a Mike Morehouse, Steve Thomas, Pulitzer Prize for playwright Thornton Jake Owens, Keith Garrett, Susan Wilder, is produced by Alexander City McCrispin, Mollie Barrett, Robert Theatre II (ACT II) and will run for Reams, Raylee Moore, Allie Reams, five performances at The Arbor on Skye Walker, Carter Buttram, Rodney Green Street across from First United Meadows, Minnie Jones, Aubrey Methodist Church. Culver, Larry Jennings, Marcelle Tickets for the production are $15 Smith, Scears Barnes and Doug and are available at the website at Roberts. Each performance also will www.act2fineartscenter.com and at the feature a guest appearance by one door. Three evening performances on of the following members of the July 14, 15 and 20 will start at 7 p.m., community: Jim Peace, Mayor Jim and two matinees on July 22 and 23 Nabors, Roger Holliday, Henry Foy will start at 2 p.m. and Kenny Dean. The play portrays the daily For information, visit the ACT II lives of people from a small town website.
By BETSY ILER TPI Magazine Editor
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Betsy Iler / The Outlook
(From left) Mike Morehouse, Susan McCrispin, Steve Thomas, Rodney Meadows, Mollie Barrett (on the ladders from left), Raylee Moore, Robert Reams and Skye Walker rehearse a scene from Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town.”
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