Weekend The Outlook
Half of all local taxes pays for public safety
Reeltown names new softball coach, Page 11.
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
July 11 -12, 2015 • Vol. 123 • No. 138 • www.alexcityoutlook.com
May death now being treated as suspicious
City Hall employees say office items moved, shuffled By Mitch Sneed Outlook Editor
Alexander City Police Department investigators were called to city hall earlier this week to investigate after employees said they believed that items had been disturbed in their offices overnight. Alexander City Police Department Deputy Chief Jay Turner confirmed that two investigators and an officer responded to the first floor offices of the city clerk and finance director on Tuesday. “They said that when they got to work it appeared as though things had been moved and shuffled around,” Turner said. “We investigated and checked it out, but there was no sign of forced entry and they said it didn’t appear that anything was missing.” Turner said there was no noticeable damage or any of the normal signs associated with a burglary. See SHUFFLE, Page 3
NEW LADY REBEL
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
The Adelia M. Russell Library in Alexander City has three copies of Lee’s new book. The book already has a long waiting list and will not be available until Tuesday. Lee’s time in Alexander City may have something to do with the interest.
PAPER CHASE
Radney family has questions as Lee’s new book debuts By David Granger Outlook Staff Writer
With the release of Harper Lee’s “new” work “Go Set A Watchman” due on Tuesday, the uncommonly private Pulitzer Prize-winning author’s shadow continues to hang over the Alexander City area and the family of the late attorney Tom Radney. The Radney family, according to the attorney’s granddaughter, Madolyn Price, continues to believe that Lee is in possession of many of
the late lawyer’s papers related to his representation of William Maxwell, a pulpwooding preacher who lived in the Coosa County community of Nixburg. Maxwell was either charged with or thought responsible for at least five murders in the area, including two of his wives, his brother, his nephew and an adopted stepdaughter. Maxwell was shot dead in Alexander City’s House of Hutcheson funeral home by Dadeville’s Robert See BOOK, Page 3
Karlee Hooper Williams’ injuries not consistent with car crash By Mitch Sneed Outlook Editor
The case involving a woman who died five days after a May traffic accident on Church Road is now being investigated as a suspicious death. Karlee Amanda Hooper Williams, 22, died at a hospital after being found badly injured. The crash was initially investigated by the Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Department and troopers from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. The Eagle Creek Volunteer Fire Department also responded to Karlee Williams assist on the call. After being airlifted for treatment and Hooper Williams’ subsequent death, medical evidence found the cause of death “not to be consistent with typical injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident.” The State Bureau of Investigation is now See DEATH, Page 8
Team Impact here today for ‘Explo’
First Pie Fest Contest set for Sun Festival Staff Report Outlook Staff
By Mitch Sneed Outlook Editor
It can only be described as a powerful program. The Back to School Explo, set for 3-6 p.m. at the Central Alabama Community College Auditorium, will feature feats of strength from a member of worldrenowned Team Impact as well as a powerful message for those who attend. GAP Fellowship Church, with the help of other congregations in the area, will welcome the community for an event that organizer Marilyn Benson said she hopes will give students, See IMPACT, Page 12
Today’s
Weather
93 73 High
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Low
54708 90050 USPS Permit # 013-080
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Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Elizabeth Martin of Dothan relaxes on a boat at Kamp Kiwanis will talking with friend and fellow three-year Sail Away camper Jennifer Sutton. Below, campers created burgees as ship crews for the dining hall.
Girl Scouts learn life lessons at Camp Sail Away By Cliff Williams Outlook Staff Writer
Lake Martin’s Kamp Kiwanis near Eclectic has been hosting the Girl Scouts of South Alabama’s Camp Sail Away. “We are trying to empower Girl Scouts with sailing,” Liz Carnahan said. “It is a week long sailing camp but we are still trying to give that Girl Scout experience. We are keeping the mariner theme but we still keep the Girl Scout program and teach life skills along the way.” The campers created flags similar to sailing clubs’ burgees for the crews they were divided into. They even watched the movie “Jaws” one night. The camp with its access to a small cove is ideal for those with little to no experience in a sailboat. “Here with the slough, it is very contained,” See SAILING, Page 8
What do a new Russell Medical Center doctor, a circuit court judge and the county sheriff have in common? They are serving as the official judges for the firstever Pie Fest Contest & Tasting event to be held during Sun Festival, Thursday, July 23. Dr. John Adams, Judge Tom Young, and Sheriff Jimmy Abbett are looking forward to sampling those family recipes and holiday favorites submitted by community bakers. “You have to be careful what you volunteer for,” Abbett said. “I intend to be impartial, but when it comes See PIE, Page 8
Lake Martin
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