OPINION: JUDGE IS RIGHT – WE DESERVE BETTER, PAGE 4.
FRIDAY
THE
STATE CHAMPIONS Alex City 10U come home to hero’s welcome
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892 July 1, 2016 Vol. 124, No. 132 www.alexcityoutlook.com
See Sports, page 8.
No shortage of holiday events planned in area STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
The Hackneyville Fireworks Bash is set for Saturday with music including the sounds of Rexton Lee beginning at 4 p.m. with a spectacular fireworks show set for just after dark. This is one of several events scheduled around the area this Independence Day weekend.
Are you still finalizing your holiday weekend plans? If a trip to the beach or an extended vacation is not in the cards for you, relax. There are plenty of events scheduled right here close to home for you along with your family and friends to take in to help celebrate Independence Day. From parades, music, great food and plenty of fireworks check out the events planned in the Lake Martin region.
Martin! Celebrate the grand opening of the new Chuckwalla pizza kitchen as you spend your Friday This Friday’s free concert on the night singing and dancing under Russell Crossroads Town Green the stars. will feature Rexton Lee from 6:30 July 2 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. Bring coolers, blankets, chairs, kids and pets for Russell Crossroads live music, lawn games and time Community Garden Club with family and friends. Pancake Breakfast The Russell Crossroads July 1 Community Garden Club members will be up early cooking panAlabama Avenue at Chuck’s Alabama Avenue is so excited cakes for all to enjoy at the Artist’s to kick off 4th of July weekend at See EVENTS • Page 3 Chuck’s Marina on beautiful Lake
July 1 Friday On The Green
City water system honored for clarity
Law officials preach safety on area roads By MITCH SNEED Editor
The Independence Day weekend is traditionally a time when people travel to gather with friends and celebrate America’s freedom. Local, county and state officials say that as residents prepare to begin the celebration, they need to remember a few simple things to make sure that the weekend is memorable for the right reasons rather than tragedy. “This is a festive time and we want everyone to enjoy themselves this holiday weekend,” Tallapoosa County Sheriff Jimmy Abbett said. “At the same time we remind people to be safe and attentive as they travel and that driving under the influence will not be tolerated in Tallapoosa County. “If you plan to indulge, think ahead and designate a driver. Alcohol on the roads or on the water can be a deadly combination. Let’s make this a great, safe holiday.” See SAFETY • Page 3
City water supply beats EPA benchmark for the year
Audra Spears / The Outlook
STAR-SPANGLED PARADE
O
ne of the sure signs that Independence Day has almost arrived in Alexander City is the annual Jacob’s Ladder Patriotic Parade where students at First United Methodist Church’s daycare dress in red, white and blue and make the trek down Green Street to downtown. Above, Sophia Barrett, David Davenport, Kayla Hayes and Hvala Collari user in the holiday weekend Thursday morning. Right, teacher Glenda Hill holds hands with a student along the parade route.
By MITCH SNEED Editor
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recognized the Alexander City Water Department for its thorough testing program for the area’s drinking water. EPA Chief of Grants and Drinking Water Protection Becky Allenbach recently sent the city a letter of recognition for excellence in maintaining the purity of the water supply. “Please accept my congratulations on your success in meeting goals set by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management for optimized drinking water treatment plant performance for turbidity during 2015,” Allenbach wrote. “In meeting the goals, you provided customers of your system with protection against waterborne disease extending above and beyond regulatory requirements. Your success represents a commitment to the standards of excellence that is integral to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Area-Wide Optimization Program.” The EPA’s Area-Wide Optimization Program See WATER • Page 3
Wind Creek expects capacity crowd for Fourth of July weekend By DAVID GRANGER Staff Writer
Park Manager Bruce Adams and his crew at Wind Creek State Park are preparing for yet another potential record weekend at the 1,445-acre facility south of Alexander City. “They’re coming,” said Adams of the influx of campers he expects to begin arriving on Sunday. “We’ll have a turnover this weekend with some folks leaving, but, at the same time they’re leaving, we’ll have folks showing up to stay through the Fourth. We already have a few here that are staying through.” The crowd Adams
expects for the Fourth will come on the heels of what was a record Memorial Day weekend in May. Once a bit of a hidden jewel among Alabama’s 22 state parks, Wind Creek is becoming more widely known and renowned. Recently, the park was awarded TripAdvisor’s 2016 Certificate of Excellence award, which celebrates excellence in hospitality and is given only to establishments that consistently achieve great traveler reviews on the TripAdvisor website. Certificate of Excellence winners include accomCliff Williams / The Outlook modations, eateries and attractions located all over Travellers set up camp for the Fourth of July Weekend at Wind Creek State Park. Campers particiSee WIND CREEK • Page 3 pate in a contest to determine who has the most patriotic camp site.
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
490.12 Reported on 6/30/16 @ 3 p.m.
LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443
laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL
Today’s
Weather
93 71 High
6
Low
54708 90050 USPS Permit # 013-080
Now Playing:
Independence Day: Resurgence – PG-13 Finding Dory 3D – PG Tarzan 3D – PG-13
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