OPINION: TWO VIEWS OF STATE’S BUDGET MESS. PAGE 4.
NEW YEAR, NEW FACES Young HBS team to open practice Monday, page 10.
FRIDAY
THE
DEALS GALORE Find what you are looking for in the classifieds, pages 6-7.
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892 July 31, 2015 Vol. 123, No. 152 www.alexcityoutlook.com
Sales Tax Holiday set for Aug. 7-9
Cities, state to waive tax, even though Tallapoosa County opts out of back-to-school shopping program By David Granger Outlook Staff Writer
As Alabamians plunk down what is expected to total slightly more than $1 billion for back-to-school shopping this year, state revenue officials hope they’ll take advantage of the state’s 10th annual tax holiday, which begins at 12:01 a.m. Friday, Aug. 7, and lasts until midnight Sunday, Aug. 9. During the tax holiday, the state’s
four-percent sales tax will be waived statewide and sales taxes levied by 304 cities and counties, including Alexander City, also will be waived. Each will waive their 3.5 percent sales tax. Tallapoosa County opted not to participate and will still collect its 1 cent per dollar tax, but the opportunity still presents a potential savings for local shoppers. “This is the perfect opportunity for parents to purchase needed school sup-
plies and get a tax break at the same time,” said State Revenue Commissioner Julie Magee. “This is a win-win for parents, shoppers and retailers, because consumers will be buying non-exempt items as well.” While participation in the tax holiday is required for all retailers, counties and municipalities have the choice whether to waive local sales taxes. “Taxpayers, especially parents, will reap extra benefits if their city and coun-
Dadeville council rethinks grant
Owner says pup is healing as she tries to pay vet bills
Record Staff Writer
By Mitch Sneed Outlook Editor Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
ONE TIME, AT BAND CAMP...
Today will mark the final day of band camp at Benjamin Russell High School. Band members like “Bobby” Sewell, above, have been braving the heat for two practices a day over the last two weeks. Right, Rozalyn Richardson twirls a flag at Thursday’s morning session, while, below, 2009 grad Jonathan Warren and Band Director Don Bloodworth look on from high above.
Submitted / The Outlook
Area’s best growers to compete at Waverly Tomato Showdown
Today’s
Weather
92 70 Low
Staff Reports Outlook Staff
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
489.12 Reported on 7/30/15 @ 2 p.m.
Linda Shaffer, REALTOR® C: 256.794.4641 • W: 256.329.5253 shaffer@lakemartin.net 5295 Highway 280, Alexander City, AL
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54708 90050 USPS Permit # 013-080
Amy Cosby said that her dog Dezal is lucky to be alive after being peppered by a shotgun blast early on July 17. Cosby said that despite the ordeal, which meant having more than 20 pellets removed, the dog is doing well and active now. “It’s amazing how well Dezal is doing,” Cosby said. “The veterinarian was even able to save the eye that got shot, too. It just killed me to see that when he got shot.” Cosby had just let Dezal out that morning at her home on Peppers Road. Just a minute or so later she heard a See DOG, Page 3
Dezal had more than 20 bird-shot pellets removed, including one in the eye.
See GRANT, Page 3
High
See TAX, Page 3
No arrests yet in shooting of family’s dog
By Cliff Williams The Dadeville City Council learned it may still be able to take advantage of a $400,000 grant to renovate around the courthouse square now that the Tallapoosa County Commission has shown interest in joining the project. “We will get some flexibility from the Alabama Department of Transportation now that the county is coming on board with the project,” CDG engineer Steve Thomas told the council Tuesday. “You have an extended time frame because you are waiting for the county to get their application in.” Tallapoosa County Commissioner Emma Jean Thweatt explained that the idea has not gone before the whole commission. “Blake and I met with Steve Thomas on the issue and would like to join in,” Thweatt said. Thomas says the county
ty choose to participate, as they could be exempt from paying state, municipal and county taxes on their purchases,” said Magee. The number of counties and municipalities in the state participating in the holiday is an all-time high. Some of the items subject to the tax holiday include: • Clothing priced at $100 or less;
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The 8th Annual Waverly Tomato Showdown is back this Saturday. Held annually at the Standard Deluxe in Waverly experienced and novice tomato gardeners alike compete for the finest tomato in the land. The winner takes home the renowned Tomato Trophy and each year the winner must return the trophy and present it to the new champion. Tomato entries must be turned in promptly by 11:45 a.m. Judging begins at noon. A panel of three judges will taste and judge each
‘Refreshing’ business proposition The recent sweltering summer temperatures is perfect weather for a refreshing business idea like a Lemonade stand, like the one that Sara Grace Jackson, 8, Cecelia Radney, 7, and Emma Jackson, 4, manned downtown Thursday. The cool pink lemonade and sweet treats were being sold to raise money to send a care package to military dogs.
tomato based on flavor, texture, appearance and overall enjoyment counts twice. This year there will be an Ugliest Tomato Award. The gates will open to the public at 11 a.m. and tickets are $15. Children 12 and under get in free. Tickets include full access to the Famous BLT Bar. Patrons are allowed to bring coolers; no glass or dogs. On the Standard Deluxe stage there will be live musical performances by: Rachael Wilson, The Loon Band, Traveller (Robert Ellis, Cory Chisel, Jonny Fritz and Friends) and Tony See TOMATO, Page 3
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
Now Playing:
Vacation – R Pixels (3D) – PG-13 Mission: Impossible-Rogue Nation – PG-13