OPINION,, PAGE 4: LET’S PUT OUR BEST FOOT FORWARD THIS HOLIDAY
Weekend The Outlook
LLighting ighting the the way way for Alexander Alexandder City City & Lake Lakke Martin Martin since siince 1892 1892
JJulyl 1-2, 2017 Vol. 125, No. 130 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
DID YOU KNOW The Alexander City area saw nearly 4 inches of rainfall in a 24-hour period from 10 a.m. Thursday to 10 a.m. Friday. Officials reported 3.98 inches during that period, which brings the total for the last week to 10.14 inches.
WEATHER According to James Spann, our area should see pretty standard summer weather is the story tomorrow through Tuesday — mixed sun and clouds each day, with scattered, mostly afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms. Most of the showers and storms will come between 2 and 9 p.m., and they will be rather random, meaning there’s no way of knowing exactly when and where they pop up in advance. Highs will be in the 86- to 90-degree range through Independence Day. And the weather won’t change much through the end of next week.
Let the fireworks and fun begin Special events around the area highlight Independence Day weekend
By MITCH SNEED Editor
The Lake Martin community will be hopping all weekend long with celebrations, events and fireworks. The fun begins today. Check out this lineup: TODAY • CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT: The 2nd Annual Lake Martin Championship Cornhole Tournament will be today, July 1 at The Rodeo Club. Registration begins at 10 a.m. and includes a T-shirt while
supplies last. Bags fly at noon. The first tournament is a blind draw for $25 a person and the second tournament is bring your own partner at $20 a team. There is a guaranteed $1,000 in prize money. For more information, contact the Dadeville Area Chamber of Commerce or The Rodeo Club. • FIREWORKS: If you’ve never been to Hackneyville for the Hackneyville Volunteer Fire Department Fireworks Bash you are missing a treat. This year, the event will be headlined by The Sweet Mitch Sneed / The Outlook See EVENTS • Page 3 Fireworks will begin at 9 p.m. in Hackneyville tonight.
EAGLE HAS LANDED
HOLIDAY CLOSURES Due to the Independence Day Holiday on July 4, many area governmental offices and business will have special hours. Here is a list of all the closures and hour adjustments that were reported to the Outlook: • All offices in the city of Alexander City will be closed through Wednesday. The city council recently passed a resolution awarding city workers a day off. The city offices will reopen at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, July 5. • All offices in the city of Dadeville will be closed through Wednesday. The city council recently passed a resolution awarding city workers a day off. The city offices will reopen at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, July 5. • The Tallapoosa County Courthouse, with the exception of the Probate Court offices, in Dadeville will be open Monday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but will be closed all day Tuesday, July 4. The building will reopen Wednesday July 5 at 8 a.m. • The Probate Office in Alexander City, Dadeville and Tallassee will be closed Monday and Tuesday for the holiday. The offices will reopen Wednesday morning, July 5 at 8 a.m. Gov. Kay Ivey has declared Monday a holiday as well because much of the probate office business is linked to state databases. The local offices followed suit. • Most area banks reported that they will have regular hours on Monday, but will be closed to observe Independence Day on Tuesday July 4, and reopen at regular time on Wednesday, July 5. • The Outlook will be open Monday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but will be closed Tuesday. Your Tuesday paper will arrive at your home on Monday with the regular mail delivery.
Today’s
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Lake Martin
Lake Levels
490.63
Reported on 06/30/17 @ 4:00 p.m.
LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443
laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL
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FOR SUBSCRIBERS: Lake Magazine inside today
Law enforcement officials aim for safe holiday weekend 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 See SAFETY • Page 3
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Mayor Jim Nabors and Dr. Mary Emily Sheffield unveiled the refurbished eagle in the courtyard at Russell Medical Friday.
Restored Russell eagle placed at new home By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
The nearly 600 pound eagle fountain that once graced the front of the old Russell executive office building has finally arrived at its new home. Now restored and looking brand-new again, the cast iron fountain was installed in the courtyard between the Hospital and Professional Buildings at Russell Medical Center Friday morning. “We’re honored to be the new custodians for this iconic piece,” Russell Medical President and CEO Jim Peace said. “It’s just a great honor to be its new home.” A crowd consisting of Russell Medical staff and administration, Alexander City Mayor Jim Nabors, former Russell Corp. President and CEO Dwight Carlisle and a host of other
guests were on hand to witness the unveiling. Spirit, Auburn University’s bald eagle also made a special appearance, celebrating the return of such an iconic “relative.” Nabors said that the eagle, long an important part of the Russell Corp., has stood through the good times and the bad of both the company and the city. He also said that, in its new location, generations to come can see the eagle and view it as a symbol of hope. “Personally, it’s a very emotional moment,” Nabors said after the unveiling. “It’s so important for the community, having it restored.” After the remarks from Nabors and several other distinguished guests, the mayor and President of the Medical Staff at Russell See EAGLE • Page 7
Tuskegee man faces life in federal penitentiary Crimes: a string of robberies, 2 in Tallapoosa county STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
A federal jury found Tariq Khalil Jones, 35, of Tuskegee guilty Thursday of 23 separate charges Jones stemming from numerous armed robberies in 2016 in Alabama and Georgia while brandishing and discharging a firearm, and an attempted carjacking. Two of those robberies were See JONES • Page 3
Russell Crossroads ready for Arti Gras weekend festival By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
Russell Crossroads will play host to the sixth annual Arti Gras art show and festival. With artists showcasing their wares of all kinds, the event should be just as exciting as it has been in previous years. “We have almost 50 vendors setting up for the weekend,” said Tyler Mitchell, who has been overseeing the event.
With so many artists and vendors on hand over the weekend, there will be plenty for customers to browse through and purchase. In addition to paintings, photographs and pottery, Mitchell said there would also be people with woodcrafts, soaps, candles and many other things. Many of the items available are related to the lake, and everything had been checked to make sure it was handcrafted. A good crowd turned out for last year’s
Arti Gras, despite the heat, and Mitchell said that he was hoping around the same number would attend the 2017 festival. “A number of the vendors say this is one of their favorite events to attend,” he said. “Last year, we talked to a few in the crowd, and they said they liked having it outdoors around the lake. In fact, the only thing anyone complained about last year was the heat.” See FESTIVAL • Page 7
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