OPINION: SOCIAL MEDIA HAS ITS LIMITS. PAGE 4.
TUESDAY
THE WIND BENEATH THE SAILS
Sailing club photos , page 9.
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892 June 7, 2016
Vol. 124, No. 113
SWIM TEAM KICKS OFF SEASON
Sports, Page 10.
www.alexcityoutlook.com
Council delays police jurisdiction decision By MITCH SNEED Editor
A decision on whether to reduce the area covered by the Alexander City Police Department will have to wait, as members of the Alexander City City Council tabled an ordinance that would have pulled the police jurisdiction from three miles back to a mile and a half from
the city limits. The reduction idea comes as a result of a new law passed in the recently completed legislative session. “We need to understand all the ramifications, not just the financial end of it,” Council President Jim Spann said at Monday’s council meeting. “I think we need a work session to discuss it and it needs to include the council, the police
department, the sheriff, (City Business License and Tax Official) Ward Sellers and the fire department. “Because if we do this, it’s going to impact a lot of people. If we stop covering an area, someone else has to pick that up. We need to make sure we all understand all of what this means to all involved.” The council set a 4 p.m. work session
and special called meeting for June 14. In addition to discussing the police jurisdiction, Spann added discussion and a possible vote on the mosquito eradication program. The program was eliminated earlier this year due to budget cuts. City Engineer and Public Works Director Gerard Brewer estimated that See COUNCIL • Page 9
Jury trial approaches for father accused of abusing infant son
LMRA holds 46th annual meeting Leaders talk safety, funding and manpower limits on Lake Martin
By MITCH SNEED Editor
By BETSY ILER Staff Writer
Lake Martin is the only body of water in Alabama that has an organization like Lake Martin Resource Association (LMRA), said Capt. Jon Archer, Central District Marine Patrol Commander, who addressed the 46th annual LMRA meeting Saturday morning at Children’s Harbor. “When I came here, I was shocked to find out that there are 450 buoys that this organization maintains on Lake Martin,” Archer said. “If my guy had to keep up with that many buoys, he’d never be able to do it.” Archer told some 50 members in attendance that his department is past the critical point in coverage of the lake. “We cover 32 counties in the central district, and I have six guys for 14 bodies of water,” he said. “We can’t come to your slough and haul out a log for you; we can’t give you a tow. Buy a membership with a towing service on the lake. We just don’t have the time to do those things.” Archer said he is a proponent of showing courtesy and slowing down on the lake. “The last time I went to Chimney Rock, it hadn’t moved, so why are we going wide open to get there?” he said. He reminded LMRA members that the marine patrol is funded solely through the collection of boat decal fees. Boating fees, Archer said, are set by the legislature, not the local offices that collect See LMRA • Page 3
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
More than 200 people took part in the first Wind Creek Turtle Race and Goldfish Sprint Saturday and here owners begin to celebrate as Lightning McQueen, near center, races towards the bullseye to win first place in the event. Below, Carli Higgs shows off Leonardo, her turtle which was judged best-dressed turtle Saturday.
SHELL ON WHEELS
Lightning McQueen sprints to turtle race win By MITCH SNEED Editor
You know that you have a fast turtle when it can outrun you. Tommy Barnes said when he and his son Gage found Lightning McQueen, there was no doubt it was born to run. “We found him over off the road and when we got him back over here and put him down, it was all we could do to catch him to keep him from running away,” Tommy Barnes said. “So we bought a kiddie pool to keep him in and have been feeding him real good to get him ready for today.” At Wind Creek’s First Annual Goldfish See TURTLES • Page 3
A Jacksons Gap man who was arrested last December on child abuse charges after his son, who was four months old at the time, was severely injured, is scheduled for a jury trial at the Tallapoosa County Courthouse in Dadeville this term. James Edward McInvale Jr., 24, of Davis Circle in Jacksons Gap is facing charges of second-degree domestic violence assault and aggravated child abuse. While court records indicate that McInvale is to appear today, officials with the district attorney’s office say the trial will likely begin during the second week of the term on June 13. Judge Steven Perryman is scheduled to hear the case. Court records indicate that 13 witnesses have been subpoenaed to testify during the trial. Dadeville Police Department investigators say that they were called to a residence on Christmas Day in response to an unresponsive child. There they found a child with injuries so severe that he was flown to Children’s Medical Center in See TRIAL • Page 3
Hatchet Creek Festival is more than just lilies and paddling By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Since its start, Mallory and Basil Conway of Anniston have paddled in the Hatchet Creek Festival every June during the annual festival that just finished its fourth year. For the Conways, it is a way to get away from the grind of daily life. “The first year was actually our first trip by ourselves without our son,” Mallory said. “My parents stayed with him while we came to paddle.” Paddling Hatchet Creek was actually suggested by Mallory’s father. “He was always talking about Hatchet Creek,” Mallory said. “I had called around and final-
ly called the extension service. They said I needed to check out the Hatchet Creek Festival and we have been back ever since.” Some like the festival for the chance to see the Cahaba lilies but that is not the only reason for the Conways. “We really like the camaraderie,” Basil said. “We have developed several relationships with some of the other paddlers over the years and meet outside of the festival.” The other reason the Conways like the festival, is the outdoors. “We look forward to it every year,” Basil said. “It has been one of the few times that we have been able to use our canoe.” Cliff Williams / The Outlook For Tom and Beverly Bass whose property the paddlers use Mallory and Basil Conway of Anniston look for water on Hatchet Creek deep emough See HATCHET • Page 9 to paddle their canoe.
Today’s
Weather
89 61 High
Low
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
490.60 Reported on 6/6/16 @ 5 p.m.
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(On Right Past the River Bridge)