SPORTS, PAGE 12: ALEX CITY AND NEW SITE ARE STATE CHAMPIONS
TUESDAY
THE CHAMBER PULSE, PAGE 6
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
Bank Walkers to headline Strand Sessions July 6
June 27, 2017 Vol. 125, No. 126 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
Sylacauga man arrested for robbery, kidnapping robbery, second-degree burglary and kidnapping. As of Monday afternoon Buford remained in custody with no bond set. Alexander City Police Department Deputy Chief James Easterwood said that the incident happened at about 2 p.m. on Saturday at a home on Willow Street.
By MITCH SNEED Editor
A Sylacauga man is in jail after allegedly breaking into a home and using a weapon to rob and kidnap the woman who lived there Saturday. John Marcus Buford, 29, of Sylacauga was arrested at 4:30 p.m. Saturday on charges of first-degree
“The man broke into a home that belonged to a person who was known to him,� Easterwood said. “She was at home and he stole some money from her and then forced her to go with him.� Easterwood said that the man did return the woman to her home later, but after the victim notified the police,
DREAMS COME TRUE
he was taken into custody a short time later. “The report indicated that the victim did not receive any injuries that required medical See ARREST • Page 3
Buford
ACT II receives state grant to move forward By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Jessie Minnifield, uncle of Latrice Benson prays at the groundbreaking ceremony for Benson’s Habitat for Humanity home Sunday.
Local resident to be recipient of Habitat for Humanity’s 16th home By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
A lifelong goal is about to be a reality for Alexander City resident Latrice Benson. Sunday, Alexander City area Habitat for Humanity broke ground on their 16th home in the area and Benson will be the receipt of the home to be constructed on County Road. “I am happy, excited,� Benson said. “It is making my dreams come true. It is something I have been wanting for my children.� Larry Bates, president of the
Alexander City area Habitat for Humanity, oversaw his first groundbreaking Sunday. “One of the best things we do at Habitat is a groundbreaking,� Bates said. “It means we are about to build another affordable home for a family.� Bates explained that it was Alex City Area Habitat for Humanity’s 16th home and starts the process that was just completed. “Just a few weeks ago, we had the privilege of releasing the mortgage to the happy homeowners of another Habitat home,� Bates said. “We will
start pushing dirt once we get our building permit. Most likely after the fourth holiday.� To make sure the project starts well, Benson’s uncle Jessie Minnifield offered a prayer blessing the new homeowner, contractors, volunteers and others associated with Habitat. Habitat for Humanity International was founded in 1976 by Auburn University alumnus Millard Fuller and his wife, Linda. Today, Habitat for Humanity is a world leader in addressing the issues of poverty See HABITAT • Page 3
In order to redevelop the old Bama Theater into a new fine arts center the Alexander City Theater II group wrote a grant proposal to the Alabama State Council on the Arts, looking for funding to continue moving the project forward. Recently, the council awarded a total of $228,500 to various groups throughout the state to help them with projects that advance the arts in Alabama. Of this money, ACT II received $25,000 for the design phase of the project. The grant money must be matched by the organization dollar for dollar, either in cash or in-kind services, according to ACT II treasurer Larry Jennings. It is an annual grant, and will apply to the fiscal year starting on October 1, 2017. Having these funds allows the group to continue working with Tuscaloosa-based architect Butch Grimes in developing detailed construction plans for the theater’s final design. “This finally gives up hard numbers on the ultimate cost. This will help with setting up the capital campaign project,â€? Jennings said. “We should have a budget for the completion of the building by the end of the year,â€? added ACT II President Betsy Iler. Both Jennings and Iler said that getting this grant was a highly important part of the project, as it would allow them to officially kick off the whole development process and move forward developing the old theater into a brand-new facility that would provide groups throughout the Lake Martin area a place to showcase art of all See ACT II • Page 3
Rain causes headache for area road officials By MITCH SNEED Editor
The heavy rains of last week took a toll on area roads as at least three major issues appeared after 6.9 inches of ran fell in a seven-day period, including 3.8 inches on Friday and Saturday alone. Over the last week, two separate issues on Highway 63 and one on Clay Street in downtown had to be addressed after rain is believed to have caused issues with the road. On Saturday, a motorist reported that a portion of Highway 63 North, between the Hackneyville Fire Department and Goodwater Road had collapsed. The Alabama Department
of Transportation, along with officials from the fire department, the Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Department as well as Tallapoosa County Emergency Management Agency and county road crews responded to help. A large corrugated metal tile that had allowed water to pass under the road collapsed just after the heaviest of showers passed through the area. As the tile collapsed, a hole about 5 feet wide and 10 feet long was created. That portion fell into what was a hole that appeared to be about 8 feet deep, taking the pavement for one lane of the Highway 63 with it. Crews worked all day Saturday and into Sunday to get the issue repaired and
Today’s
Lake Martin
85 65
490.46
Weather Lake Levels High
Low
Reported on 06/26/17 @ 9 a.m.
LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443 6
54708 90050 USPS Permit # 013-080
8
laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL
as of Sunday the road was reopened. One estimate was about 16 hours to repair the issue. City workers have been dealing with a hole in the concrete surface near the intersection of Clay and Wheeler streets in downtown Alexander City. It appears that water rushing under the road caused a void and a chunk of the concrete road fell and broke loose an 8-foot section of sewer pipe beneath it. Crews blocked the area on Saturday and worked throughout the day Monday to get the repair made and the road reopened. All that is left of the repair is a final topping after the gravel filler Mitch Sneed / The Outlook settles. City workers repair a sewer pipe near the intersection of Clay and Wheeler streets See ROAD • Page 3 in Alexander City after rainwater caused hole to form and the pipe to break.
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