OPINION: KEEP KIDS BUSY AND OFF THE SOFA THIS SUMMER
TUESDAY
THE LOCAL, PAGE 2
Hearse and coffin for sale on Cherokee Road
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
SPORTS, PAGE 10 Dixie Sailing Club program a success
June 6, 2017 Vol. 125, No. 111 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
City officials again deal with algae in water By MITCH SNEED Editor
Many Alexander City residents have noticed an odd taste to the water that comes from the tap. City officials say they are aware of the problem, which is similar to an issue experienced two years ago, and are talking steps to address it. “It’s the algae level in the water we are taking in from Lake Martin,” said John Meadows, superintendent of the city’s Adams Water Treatment Plant. “We noticed it last week and began the chemical treatment
process of clearing it up on Friday. “It’s not something we like, but the fortunate thing is that from the last issue we had with algae, we know the process to get it corrected.” Meadows said the process of eliminating algae from the system involves chemicals as well as flushing the lines. Copper sulfate and chlorine dioxide are added to the water during the filtration process to treat water with increased levels of algae. The algae issue this time is a bit different than it was the last
Man facing attempted murder charge after woman stabbed 8 times
time the system was hit. Meadows said that in 2015 the problem didn’t appear until the fall. To combat that, chemicals and flushing was used. Officials also lowered the intakes for the water in hopes that the algae may not be as prevalent at great depths where there is less light. This algae problem started at a different time of the year at a time when water levels are at a high. The lake is currently right at full pool. “There are a lot of factors that cause algae, so it’s hard to See WATER • Page 3
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
The City of Alexander City pulls its water from Lake Martin. From this pumping station a pipe extends towards the river channel for the actual pickup.
‘BUILD A BETTER WORLD’ Council
approves funds for signage removal
By MITCH SNEED Editor
An Alexander City man is in jail after a bizarre weekend incident where he allegedly broke into the home of his former girlfriend and stabbed her following an altercation. Deonta Glenn Harris, 31, was arrested and charged with burglary and attempted murder, according to Harris Alexander City Police Chief Jay Turner. “At about 10 a.m. Saturday morning we See ARREST • Page 3
By MITCH SNEED Editor
LMRA hears of new marine police officers Library reading program kicks off with a bang
Donald Campbell / The Outlook
TomFoolery juggles for the assembled crowd Alexander City Sportplex Gymnasium Monday morning.
By BETSY ILER TPI Magazine Editor
More marine police can be expected on Lake Martin this fall and plans are in the works to curtail violations developing at Big Beach, the commander of Alabama’s marine police told an overflow crowd Saturday at the Lake Martin Resource Association (LMRA) annual meeting. “We’ve been promised 30 new officers later this year. I hope to get 20,” Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Marine Police Commander Jon Archer told the standing room only crowd at Children’s Harbor’s Harbor House. “I plan to put five of them on Lake Martin.” Archer said he hopes to have the officers hired by this fall and trained in time for next summer’s season on the lake. “I hope this is the last summer that we are shorthanded on Lake Martin,” Archer said. Archer also told the LMRA membership that he is coordinating an activity cleanup in Lake Martin’s Big Beach area near Young’s and Woods islands. “We know there were several violations over that way on Memorial Day weekend – some underage drinking and boating under the influence. There were some fights that broke out, and we just want to tell you all that we are coming. I won’t say when – and I might only have four guys – but we’re coming,” he said. Memorial Day saw the boats parked three deep at Big Beach, and LMRA President John Thompson said the entire area was heavily littered after the holiday weekend. “There were some folks who went in there and cleaned it up. We’re not even sure who did the cleanup, but we’re grateful that See LMRA • Page 3
By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
The Alexander City Sportplex Gymnasium was full of excited young readers Monday morning to help the Russell Library kick off its annual summer reading program. For nearly two hours, the children were entertained by Cowboy Bruce, juggler TomFoolery and the Benjamin Russell cheerleading squad. “I’d estimate there were close to 200 children here today,” said Russell Library Director Amy Huff. “We wanted to show them summer reading can be fun, and that the library is always available to help them build a better world.” Loud applause and roaring laughter greeted TomFoolery as he led off the entertainment See LIBRARY • Page 3
Brothers arrested after shots fired on Houston Street
Lake Martin
78 62
490.57
Weather Lake Levels Low
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
Two brothers were arrested for being drunk and disorderly after neighbors and a postal carrier reported hearing shots fired on Houston Street in Alexander City at about 1 p.m. Monday. Alexander City Police Chief Jay Turner said that James Lamar Jackson, 25, and 19-year-old Shaquan Harris were arrested and charged with drunk and disorderly after an altercation between the two. “From what we have been able to gather is that one beat up the other and he then took a shot at his brother,” Turner said. The case is still under investigation, but no weapon had been recovered as of 4:30 p.m. Monday.
Today’s
High
Some old signs that no longer comply with city code and don’t have any connection with the business that is currently at the location may be getting a free ride to scrap pile. The Alexander City City Council voted unanimously Monday night to allow the spending of taxpayer funds to remove nonconforming signage along major corridors like U.S. Highway 280, Highway 22, Highway 63, Washington Street, Jefferson Street, Hillabee Street, North Central, Central Blvd. as well as Dadeville and Cherokee roads. Alexander City Community Development Director Al Jones explained the thought behind the move. See COUNCIL • Page 3
Reported on 06/05/17 @ 11 a.m.
“PROVIDING QUALITY ELECTRICAL CONSTRUCTION SINCE 1961” FIRMLY ROOTED IN LAKE MARTIN AND HERE TO STAY.
Bill’s Electric ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS
LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443 6
54708 90050 USPS Permit # 013-080
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laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL
(256) 234-4555 1814 Airport Blvd • Alexander City, AL
FREE CONSULTATIONS
Evening & Weekend Appointments Available Upon Request
256-329-1313 • 217 Madison Street, Alexander City, AL “We are a Debt Relief Agency. We help people file Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 under the Bankruptcy Code. Alabama State Bar requires the following in every attorney advertisement, “ No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.”