Weekend OPINION: A FLASHBACK TO GOOD FINANCIAL NEWS, PAGE 4
The Outlook
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
March 11-12, 2017 Vol. 125, No. 50 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
Police chief finalists:
By MITCH SNEED Editor
Alexander City’s interim police chief and a deputy police chief from Birmingham are the two finalists to become the next police chief in Alexander City. Jerry W. “Jay” Turner and Allen Hatcher are scheduled to be interviewed by mem-
bers of the Alexander City City Council Monday night. Turner, 49, joined the police department in 1992. He served six years in patrol, before being assigned to the Tallapoosa County Narcotics Task Force in 1998. In 2004, he became the commander in charge of the Narcotics Task Force. He became the sergeant in charge of detectives
Religion, page 6 Classifieds, page 7 Obituaries, page 2 Sports, page 10
INSIDE:
Turner, Birmingham deputy chief interview with council set Monday night at 5 p.m.
and the burglary task force in 2010 and was promoted to lieutenant in 2011 and added responsibility of being commander of detectives, criminal investigations and the domestic violence task force as well. In 2013, Robinson promoted Turner to deputy chief. The council appointed Turner interim chief on Jan. 11 after they opted not to See INTERVIEW • Page 3
Officials confirm arson in Dadeville blaze
Boys and Girls Club offering Spring Break Camps By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
Working parents of local youth have a resource for Spring Break care through The Boys and Girls Club of the Lake Martin Area and its Spring Fling Spring Break Camp at the city’s Sportplex gym. The all-day camp is scheduled to run from March 27-31, from 7a.m - 5:30 p.m. with two meals and a snack at $50 See CAMPS • Page 7
Turner
Storm causes some damage, cooler temps on the way By MITCH SNEED Editor
By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
The State of Alabama Fire Marshal’s office has confirmed that a fire at a house on Lafayette Street in Dadeville last week was arson. “The Alabama State Fire Marshal’s Office in a joint investigation with local Law enforcement has determined that the fire last week in Dadeville was intentionally set,” State Fire Marshal Scott Pilgreen said. Last week, Dadeville Police chief said he thought the fire was arson. “It is believed by me the fire was intentionally set,” Barbour said. “We do not have any suspects in custody at this time.” Barbour said the cause of the blaze is under further investigation. Barbour said Saturday the state fire marshal would be coming in to take a look. “He should be able to determine the cause,” he said. The Friday evening blaze drew help from across Tallapoosa County. “At 19:33 (7:33 p.m.) Friday, E911 received a call of a house fire at 1050 East Lafayette See ARSON • Page 7
Hatcher
Alethia Russell / The Outlook
Lydia Staples, left, presented the award for Tallapoosa County Woman of the Year 2017 to Barbara Sokol at the Lead Forward Luncheon Friday afternoon.
‘LADIES FIRST’
Lead Forward Luncheon celebrates area women By ALETHIA RUSSELL Staff Writer
Alexander City’s Chamber of Commerce celebrated women of Tallapoosa and Coosa counties at their Lead Forward luncheon Friday afternoon. Following the keynote address the 2017 Tallapoosa County Woman of the Year was awarded to Barbara Sokol and the 2017 Coosa County Woman of the Year was awarded to Kathy Fulmer for their many contributions to their respective communities.
“It was quite a surprise,” Sokol said. “I was quite overwhelmed and Alex City is my home and I love Alexander City and the area. It’s not where I grew up but this is home for me and it’s the people in the community who make it home for me.” Sokol has taught several generations of people how to swim through her work at the Russell Pool in Alexander City. “I just need to thank the Chamber of Commerce and the Lead Conference and the community for the support they give me,” Sokol said. See LUNCHEON • Page 7
The area is again on the roller-coaster ride that comes with late winter/ pre-spring weather with thunderstorms, muggy conditions, an approaching cold front and intermittent sunshine breaking through the clouds visiting over a 48-hour period. Many area residents were awakened Friday morning by heavy rains, winds, thunder and lightning and alert sirens as a severe thunderstorm rolled through the area at around 2:30 a.m. While rainfall amounts varied from .10 inch at Alexander City Public Works to a half-inch at a rain gauge off Highway 22 near the Coosa County line. While the total wasn’t high, the downpour lasted about 15 minutes and had winds that were clocked in excess of 30 mph. See STORM • Page 3
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
Workers from the Central Alabama Electric Coop work to clear away trees that damaged power lines on Fish Pond Road Friday.
Enrollment open for Pearson Pre-K Program By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
Registration is open for Jim Pearson School’s Pre-K Program, a part of the Alabama Voluntary Pre-K, and what the city’s Pre-K director said is a top-ranked program in the country. Barbara Thompson is the coordinator of Alexander City School’s Pre-K, and oversees the HIPPY House program, or Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters. She said there are Cliff Williams / The Outlook Jim Pearson Elementary School Pre K Teacher Kylie Brown reads now four classes available at the school. “The Grouchy Ladbug to her class Friday afternoon.
“We are accepting registration right now for the next school year,” said Thompson. The registration is opening a month early this year in March, Thompson said, compared to its typical April enrollment. “We hope we can get people’s attention to know it’s earlier so that they don’t miss out,” Thompson said. According to information on the program, all children age four can be enrolled as long as they are residents of the state and regardless of family income. The selection of See PRE-K • Page 3
Today’s
Weather
63 41 High
Low
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
486.53 Reported on 3/10/17 @ 5 p.m.
LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443
laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL
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54708 90050 USPS Permit # 013-080
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