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June 15, 2018 Vol. 126, No. 119 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
McDaniel: ‘I’m not a murderer’
Courtroom spectators leave the Tallapoosa County Courthouse in Dadeville during a break in Thursday’s murder trial of Clate McDaniel. Trial is set to resume this morning.
Jury expected to begin deliberation this morning after emotional day in court By MITCH SNEED Editor
The jury in the Clate McDaniel murder case will hear closing arguments this morning and then begin deliberating the defendant’s fate. On the final day of testimony McDaniel took the stand Thursday to give his version of events that led to him
shooting Norman Crayton to death. Instead of the jury being left with McDaniel’s statements about that fatal night, it was a surprise witness that left many in the courtroom shaking their heads. District Attorney Jeremy Duerr called Maj. Mike Parrish of the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office as a See MCDANIEL • Page 7
McDaniel
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Burke, Howell heading to Coosa County Sheriff Republican runoff
City to consider raising lodging tax Monday
By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Eddie Burke and Michael Howell are headed to a July 17 runoff to see who will follow Terry Wilson as sheriff of Coosa County. Wilson chose not run for reelection this year and the decision brought Burke five candidates to qualify – Eddie Burke, Joseph W. Davidson, James “Jimmy” Hale, Howell Michael Howell and Mike Rudd. Almost 2,300 cast ballots in the race with Howell getting 930 votes to Burke’s 464. Howell was appreciative of the support he has received so far and knows the campaigning is not done. “I was humbled by the election results,” Howell said. “I want to thank everyone for their votes. Several people have See RUNOFF • Page 9
The Alexander City City Council held a work session Thursday to tackle discussion of a tourism entity and raising the lodging tax. Council President Tommy Spraggins is all in with Alexander City Chamber President Ed Collari’s idea. “It is a lot more than a lodging tax,” Spraggins said. “I just don’t think we are serious about tourism. It would fund a tourism entity.” Council member Buffy Colvin sees it as a way to pay for special events and get the word of Alexander City out. “We are trying to shift fees paid for the events from the general fund to tourism,” Colvin said. “We also need some type of marketing effort for the city.” The idea is that this tax would be used to recruit things like the Bass Elite Series Tournament to sporting tournaments and concerts, events normally funded from the city’s general fund. Council members said they had talked to several hotel operators in town and larger hotels were fine with an increase in the lodging tax for a tourism entity but the smaller hotels were against it. Spraggins sees an increase in the tax and tourism bureau as a way to create more hotels. See COUNCIL • Page 9
FUN IN THE SUN
G
Photos by Donald Campbell
iving local children the chance to cool off, have some fun and spend time with their friends and family, the Alexander City Housing Authority held a Strong Families Initiative event at the Laurel Heights Youth Center. Traditionally held as a back-to-school event in early August, Center Manager Fred Norris said it was changed to a family day and held around Father’s Day in order to encourage all members of the family to work together to build stronger families. Participants were able to enjoy an inflatable water slide, three different slip and slides, a bouncy house, parachute games and other fun activities. Members of the Alexander City Fire Department were on hand, using a hose and tanker truck to keep the slides wet down and even used a low-pressure setting to give the children a good hose down before getting to eat hot dogs and hamburgers. CACC Ambassadors had a face painting station set up, while other organizations had tables with plenty of information available. With at least 200 children in attendance, Norris said Thursday was a great success and was thankful for all the families coming out to enjoy the day and the various agencies for supporting the event. See Page 3 for more photos.
Today’s
MORE JOBS?
Weather 89 69 High
Potential new businesses could mean jobs coming to Dadeville, mayor says By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Dadeville Mayor Wayne Smith shared some good news of possible businesses and industry coming to the city of Dadeville. “We are close to breaking ground on a revised truck stop and 40 room hotel,” Smith told the Dadeville Kiwanis Club
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Thursday afternoon. “We feel a major restaurant will soon be piggy backing on it too. Something like Waffle House or a Huddle House.” Smith explained the city is looking at a new tax to help bolster revenues for the town. “We are in the process of putting in a lodging tax before the hotel goes in,” See JOBS • Page 9
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Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Dadeville Mayor Wayne Smith talks to the Dadeville Kiwanis Club about businesses that could be potentially coming to Dadeville to create a multitude of job openings in the Lake Martin area at Thursday’s meeting.
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