Weekend The Outlook
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Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
July 18 -19, 2015 • Vol. 123 • No. 143 • www.alexcityoutlook.com
FURRY RESCUE Firefighters, Animal Control save kitten. Page 2.
Jobless numbers steady June stats show local improvement over last year, but slightly higher unemployment than in May By Mitch Sneed Outlook Editor
Tallapoosa County’s June unemployment rate was down 1.4 percent over the same period in 2014, according to numbers released Friday. A 6.7 percent unemployment rate was recorded for Tallapoosa County in June, down from the 8.1 percent in June of 2014. The level was slightly higher than the 6.4 percent recorded in May, but officials say that students entering the workforce may be the
reason for the slight increase. The numbers were released Friday by the office of Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley and statewide the numbers were very similar to the success found in Tallapoosa County. The state’s seasonally adjusted June unemployment rate is 6.1 percent, down from 2014 and slightly higher than in May of this year. “Even though our unemployment rate remained unchanged this month, we are pleased that since January 2011, our month over month growth
THE FUN IN THE SUN BEGINS
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
A firefighter keeps water on a training fire to keep it cool.
Alex City Fire Dept. seeks new recruits
Beauty pageant, Glow Run, Block Party kickoff Sun Festival
By Mitch Sneed Outlook Editor
Does the idea of a career where every day brings a new challenge sound attractive to you? If so, imagine a job where in the same day helping save a family home threatened by fire and then rescuing a kitten that had been trapped beneath a car. Then, the next day you assist with a rescue operation at the lake, help a 90-year-old military veteran get needed medical attention and wrap the shift up by hosing down runners as they cross the finish line at a road race. If all that sounds good, the Alexander City Fire Department wants to talk to you. Chief Kem Jones said that the department is See RECRUITS, Page 3
By Mitch Sneed Outlook Editor
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Camp ASCCA’s Beth Anne Pollard of Enterprise dances with camper Nick Hagerman of Aliceville as Route 66 provides the tunes for the camp’s prom Thursday night.
CAMP EXPERIENCE
ASCCA is changing lives, making memories By Cliff Williams Outlook Staff Writer
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
The Alexander City Fire and Rescue conducts a rope rescue training class on Patroit Point.
Teenagers have been spending summers on Lake Martin for decades creating memories and overcoming fears. From boating, fishing and tubing to zip lining, hanging out and canoeing to the dance on the last night of camp. One such camp on the lake is no different – Camp ASCCA.
Alabama’s Special Camp for Children and Adults has been around since 1976 serving children and adults with disabilities. Touring Camp ASCCA one quickly notices that the camp is no different than any other summer camp. The thing that is different is the number of wheels. If you are walking, you might find yourself in the minority as everyone travels by at least four wheels. See CAMP, Page 8
ACPD prepares for 489.35 National Night Out Lake Martin
Lake Levels Reported on 7/17/15 @ 1 p.m.
Linda Shaffer, REALTOR® C: 256.794.4641 • W: 256.329.5253 shaffer@lakemartin.net 5295 Highway 280, Alexander City, AL
Today’s
Weather
97 74 High
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54708 90050 USPS Permit # 013-080
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in wage and salary employment, a trend that began in January 2011, continues,” Bentley said in a released statement. “Today, there are almost 75,000 more jobs in Alabama than there were in June 2011. This is good news for Alabamians who are looking to find a job.” One stat that jumped out from the report is that all 67 counties in Alabama have lower unemployment rates than were recorded during June of 2014. See JOBS, Page 3
A Miss Sun Festival will be crowned and people will take to the streets for the 5K Glow Run Saturday night as the 59-event Sun Festival kicks off today in Alexander City. In its third year, the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce will pack eight full days with events, making sure that there is something for everyone. “It’s here and it all starts the Little Miss and Miss Sun Festival pageant Saturday at Benjamin Russell and the 5K Glow Run Saturday night at Strand Park,” Chamber President and CEO Ann Rye said. “It has been crazy getting everything ready, but it’s exciting to see how it’s all coming together. It’s just a great way for the community to come together See FESTIVAL, Page 5
Police probe dog shooting By Mitch Sneed
By David Granger
Outlook Editor
Outlook Staff Writer
Alexander City Police investigators are looking for clues after a local woman’s dog was shot early Friday morning. According to Alexander City Police Chief Willie G. Robinson, the woman let her dog out early Friday at her home on Peppers Road and heard what sounded like a gunshot a short time later. “We are still investigating, but the information we have is that after she heard the noise, she found that the dog had been injured,” Robinson said. “She took the dog to the vet for treatment and alerted
The Alexander City Police Department and Alexander City Parks and Recreation are inviting citizens to celebrate National Night Out at the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex in the parking lot by the football stadium on Thursday, Aug. 6, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. An annual community-police awarenessraising event that promotes police-community partnerships, crime prevention, safety and neighborhood camaraderie, National Night Out is in its 32nd year. This is the second annual celebration of Submitted / The Outlook the event in Alexander City. In the city’s fi rst National Night Out last August, organizIn addition to the community-wide event ers were pleased with the turnout. McGruff the Crime See NIGHT OUT, Page 3 Dog and Spongebob were popular with the kids.
See DOG, Page 3