THURSDAY
THE ‘DIRTY WORK’ Eclectic set for growth with new sewage plant, Page 5
‘KINDNESS MATTERS’ Central Coosa honored with Sportsmanship Award, Page 10
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
June 28, 2018 Vol. 126, No. 128 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
Clues sought in 2009 postal worker’s murder Loved ones of Tony Harrelson release balloons at a vigil held in his memory in 2010. Harrelson, a postal service contract worker, was shot and killed at the Camp Hill post office Oct. 2, 2009.
5:45 and 6:15 p.m. that day. After almost nine years, federal, local, county and state officials are still Tony Harrelson was a family searching for his killer. man who loved NASCAR, Harrelson was a Royster Trucking animals and a good joke, but on driver and lifelong Dadeville Oct. 2, 2009, his life was taken resident. Few details of his murder too soon. have been made public as the U.S. Harrelson, who was 46 at the Postal Inspection Service and others time, was a postal service contract Harrelson continue to investigate. worker from Dadeville. He was shot and In addition to his wife Dinah, Tony left killed at the Camp Hill post office between See POSTAL • Page 9 By MITCH SNEED Editor
File / The Outlook
GROWN
City BOE learns about dyslexia and finances By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
The Alexander City Board of Education learned about the system’s success in special education and gains in finances during Tuesday’s meeting. Special Education Director Amy Ward gave board members an overview of students served and also explained how the system serves students with dyslexia. See BOE • Page 3
While opportunities for Alabama’s children still lag behind the country in many areas, the state has made significant improvements in child well-being over the last few years, according to a new report released Wednesday by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The 2018 Kids Count Data Book, which was first published in 1990, uses 16 indicators to rank each state across four domains: health, education, economic well-being and family and community. Alabama is See RANKINGS • Page 9
Ashley Bunn loses courageous battle with lung disease
ALABAMA STATISTICS
By MITCH SNEED Editor
A young woman who had captured the hearts of many with her courage as she battled cystic fibrosis before receiving a double lung transplant two years Bunn ago passed away early Wednesday morning. Friends of the family See BUNN • Page 5
Today’s
Weather
92 73 High
Low
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
490.52
Reported on 06/27/18 @ 2 p.m.
LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443
laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL
6
54708 90050
8
USPS Permit # 013-080
Randy Dawkins / Special
Marcus Osborne shows off some of the locally grown vegetables he had on display last week at the Main Street Farmer’s Market in downtown Alexander City.
Farmer’s market a huge success so far “We started on June 9 and we will be holding the farmer’s market until October,” farmer’s market manager Carly Herrmann said. he 2018 iteration of the Alexander City “We have about 20 vendors signed up right Farmer’s Market has returned to town, now with all sorts of items available.” bringing with it a great deal of exciteWhen setting up this year’s market, ment and positive responses from See FARMERS • Page 3 everyone involved. By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
T
• STATEWIDE: 25 percent of children continue to live in poverty • IMPROVEMENT: Alabama has reduced the percentage of children living in poverty by 11 percent since 2010 • NATIONAL AVERAGE: 19 percent of children live in poverty • IN ALABAMA: 79 percent of students are not proficient in eighth-grade math and 69 percent are not proficient in fourth-grade reading • SINCE 2010: 80,000 fewer children living in households where no parent has full-time, year-round employment – a decrease of nearly 19 percent * Data from 2018 Kids County Data Book
Summer storm brings localized damage to area Street, Cleveland Street and Marshall Street as a result of the winds, which reached up to 40 It wasn’t a tornado. It wasn’t a microburst. mph. Additional trees on Simpson and Semmes The damage and streets were brought rain occurring in spots throughout town Tuesday down after being struck by lightning. Traffic afternoon came from what could be considered lights in the Five Points area were knocked freak incidents as a out, but units from the result of a pop-up Alexander City Police thunderstorm blowing across the area, downing Department arrived on scene to direct traffic trees and generally creating problems across until power to the signals could be restored. Alexander City and the “The thunderstorm did surrounding area. Mitch Sneed / The Outlook not reach the criteria to In Alexander City, be classified as severe,” Part of a massive oak that fell in the yard of a house on Marshall Street Tuesday crushed the trees were reported Tallapoosa County EMA window and roof of this Honda Accord. Wednesday people were still cleaning up the messes down on Circle Drive, Jefferson Street, Coley See STORM • Page 5 made by a short, intense line of storms that rolled through the area. By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
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