THE
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June 12, 2018 Vol. 126, No. 116 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
Youngsters learn from the best at football camp
Murder or self defense ? Opening statements in McDaniel murder trial paint vastly different pictures By MITCH SNEED and CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writers
A cold-blooded killing and an attempt to destroy evidence and cover up a crime or a man who feared for his life after being threatened by a “coked up” individual with a gun defending himself? If what prosecutors and the defense had to say in opening statements in the murder trial of Clate
McDaniel, that’s what the jury will have to decide. McDaniel is accused of murder in the Jan. 17, 2016 shooting death of Norman Dean Crayton after hunters had found Crayton’s body in a wooded area off Barron’s Bridge Road south of Dadeville. Judge Tom Young led the prosecution that included District Attorney Jeremy Duerr, Michael Weldon and Robbie Treese and defense attorney Davis Whittelsey See MCDANIEL • Page 3
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
Family and friends talk with Clate McDaniel’s defense attorney Davis Whittelsey, top left, as spectators and others leave the Tallapoosa County Courthouse after opening statements in a murder trial that began Monday.
Commissioners approve bid for Dadeville track
28 YEARS DOWN
By MITCH SNEED Editor
A bid was awarded to get the track at Dadeville High School paved and the county will not participate in the annual “Back to School Tax Holiday” after votes by the Tallapoosa County Commissioners Monday morning. The commissioners voted 5-0 to approve the award of a bid for paving of the Dadeville track to Gary Ingram Paving and Grading. Ingram came in with the lowest bid of about $177,000. See COMMISSIONERS • Page 3
Jim Pearson opens registration for new students
Collari, Gunn report ‘tremendous’ turnout for Sun Festival, Jazz Fest
STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
Summer vacation has just begun, but the faculty and staff at Jim Pearson Elementary School are already gearing up for the 2018-2019 school year. Registration is now open for new students to enroll and be assigned a classroom for next year. The parents of students who have not attended Jim Pearson before will be required to fill out a new student registration
By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
Saturday night marked the culmination of the 28th annual Jazz Fest celebration in Alexander City, along with the 6th annual Sun Festival. With this year’s Sun Festival providing a week full of events leading into Jazz Fest, there was plenty of excitement in the air around town as locals got a thrill out of their favorite activities. “This past week was a tremendous success,” Alexander City Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Ed Collari said. “Mother Nature gave us a great week of weather and the support we got from the community, it was huge.” The weeklong series of events began June 1 with Friday on the Green at Russell Crossroads. Between Friday on the Green and Taylor Hicks at Jazz Fest, there were activities spread throughout town, offering up a little something for everyone. There were those scouring See FESTIVAL • Page 11
See REGISTRATION • Page 3 Roman Street, above, and Taylor Hicks, left, perform at Saturday night’s Jazz Fest. Organizers called the 28th annual event a success with massive crowds and no complaints from area residents or guests. For more photos from the two-day festival, see Page 11 inside. Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
Jazz Fest special for local couple By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
E
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Marty and Derra Sims pose for a picture while celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary at Jazz Fest Friday night. The couple was married at the same local event in 1993.
Today’s
Lake Martin
Weather Lake Levels
87 68 High
Low
490.56
Reported on 06/11/18 @ 2 p.m.
LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443 6
54708 90050
8 USPS Permit # 013-080
laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL
veryone thinks of music and good times when Jazz Fest is brought up, but not for Marty and Derra Sims. Jazz Fest serves as a reminder of a milestone for the couple as they were married at one of the tables of Jazz Fest in 1993. Friday, the Sims celebrated their 25th anniversary, though it was a little early and a surprise for Derra.
“We just moved back,” she said. “We said let’s go. I didn’t realize they were doing this. I thought we were just going to bring chairs and sit around.” Derra was surprised her husband had planned a wedding anniversary celebration of Strand Park. The couple was featured in the Outlook in 1993 getting married at the third annual Jazz Fest in front of hundreds of unsuspecting witnesses and the framed article and picture serve See ANNIVERSARY • Page 3
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LOCAL | PAGE 10
UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL Area children get lesson on reptiles with show at Mamie’s Place
UNITED WAY | PAGE 10
DAY OF ACTION United Way preparing for annual event