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THURSDAY
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SPORTS, PAGE 10 Horn takes hard-fought journey to potential starting job
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
July 27, 2017 Vol. 125, No. 148 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
USAmeriBank acquired by New Jersey-based Valley National By MITCH SNEED Editor
A bank that is one of the most widely used by Tallapoosa County residents is being sold to a New Jersey-based bank and will be undergoing its second name change in three years. It was announced early Wednesday that USAmeriBancorp Inc. is being
acquired by Valley National Bancorp of New Jersey. Valley officials say the acquisition will help the bank expand its Florida presence and move into Alabama market in a big way. The companies have entered into a merger agreement in which the common shareholders of USAB will receive 6.1 shares of Valley common stock
for each USAB share they own, subject to adjustment in the event Valley’s volumeweighted average stock price falls below $11.50 or rises above $13.00 prior to closing. The transaction is valued at an estimated $816 million, based on Valley’s closing stock price on July 25. Valley, and its wholly-own See BANK • Page 3
Dadeville council hears plans, ideas for positive changes
Russell Library hosts ‘Genealogy Connects Us’ event By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
A crowd of nearly 20 people gathered at the Adelia Russell Library Thursday morning for the special presentation of “Genealogy Connects Us.” Frazine Taylor from the Alabama Historical Commission was on hand to talk about preserving church documents as a resource for future generations to conduct historical research on a particular church or their ancestors. “When people go looking for old records, they usually start at churches and cemeteries,” Taylor said. “Oftentimes, the people at the church end up scrambling around to find where these records are kept.” Much of her talk revolved around which church documents are absolutely necessary to save for the future, how to properly set up a church record committee and how to most effectively store papers and other artifacts from a church’s history. “The first thing you need to do is See LIBRARY • Page 5
Donald Campbell / The Outlook
Frazine Taylor discusses which church documents are necessary to save and which are not as imperative to preserve.
By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
Above, employees with Gary Ingram Paving and Grading remove barrels and cones along Lee Street Wednesday. Below, paving is also underway on Washington Street.
Lee Street reaches milestone By MITCH SNEED Editor
The long reconstruction process on Lee Street in Alexander City reached another milestone Wednesday, as most of the cones and barrels were removed and five lanes are now open. Base layers of below surface rock and gravel and initial layers of new asphalt are down on the width of the roadway. The asphalt has been temporarily striped and many of the business entrances that have been closed for more than two months are set to reopen today if weather permits. “This is the next to last step in the process,” said Jeffrey Harte with Gary Ingram Paving and Grading. “The See ROADS • Page 5
Two residents of Dadeville went before the Dadeville City Council during the pre-council meeting Tuesday evening to talk about thoughts and plans they had for the city, making it a nicer place to live. Dianna Porter presented an idea she had to further beautify Keebler Park by installing a butterfly and rain garden, with a long-term plan of potentially turning it into an outdoor classroom, interpretive center, bird sanctuary and wildlife habitat. She was currently in the process of creating a detailed plan for her ideas, but wanted to go ahead and bring forth her initial ideas before the council. During the regular meeting, the council passed a motion, approving her idea and potential plans. Marrell Ward provided an update on the Aug. 19 soap box derby. He said that a car show was being added to the event, and asked the council if it would be possible to close off at least a part of Legion Street, so that participating cars could be parked in the shade. Mayor Wayne Smith and Police Chief David Barbour did not see a major problem with doing so. Ward also asked if it would be possible to use the community center to host the musicians coming to play during the event, if the city might be willing to See COUNCIL • Page 3
Russell Retail Store to close August 4 By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
For generations the Russell Athletic Store has been the place to stop, but come next week the store will close for good. “The last day the doors will be open to the public is Aug. 4,” Patti Kennedy said. “But we will stay on to pack up and take the final inventory after that.” But shoppers need to hurry with only a few clothing racks and shirts remaining. “There is not much left,” Kennedy said. “It is sad to walk in a see hardly anything in the store.” Walking through the store Tuesday, five racks could be seen with maybe 10 dozen
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shirts hanging. In April, Russell Brands and Russell Medical announced the purchase of the store by Russell Medical. Clay Humphries, Russell Brands representative, says the company is pleased to see the landmark building and property sold to such an important local institution and one of the economic engines for the community. “We are pleased to announce that Russell Medical will purchase this property,” Humphries said in April. “We have come together in the interest of the community and the hospital. The location is ideal for them, and we know the future See RUSSELL • Page 5
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
The Russell Retail Athletic Store has deeply discounted apparel as it readies to close.
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