OPINION: PUBLIC RECORDS ARE FOR EVERYBODY, PAGE 4.
THE
TUESDAY
ON TO THE FINALS
Performers show off in Kowaliga Idol. Page 6.
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892 March 15, 2016
Vol. 124, No. 53
www.alexcityoutlook.com
TO THE NEXT LEVEL
Pair of Lady Tigers sign scholarships to Southern Union. Sports, Page 12.
‘CRIMINAL ACTIVITY’ SUSPECTED
DA to launch investigation, explore next legal step in missing golf course funds case By MITCH SNEED Editor
There is reason to believe criminal activity was involved in the disappearance of checks and other funds that had been paid to Alexander City’s Lakewinds Golf Course, according to Fifth Judicial Circuit District Attorney E. Paul Jones. Alexander City Mayor Charles Shaw
announced late Monday that he had met with Jones and turned the matter over to him for further investigation. “All I can say is that we have turned the matter over to the district attorney,” Shaw said. “I’ve been advised by our city attorney that is about all that we can say at this time.” Jones said he met with city officials on Friday and plans to launch an investiga-
tion immediately based on the information he received. “I can confirm that I have met with the mayor, a witness and City Attorney Larkin Radney and they turned over to me a file of information on the missing funds from Lakewinds Golf Course,” Jones said. “There was evidence of potential criminal activity and now we will initiate an additional investigation.”
Tallapoosa jobless rate sees mixed statistics
County approves road projects By MITCH SNEED Editor
Three road projects, a move to replace three aging sheriff’s department vehicles and an update on the search for a site for a new Department of Human Resources Building were the top items considered by the Tallapoosa County Commissioners Monday. County Engineer David Moore presented the road items that were under consideration. The resurfacing of Cowpens Road in the New Site area will be the feeder road that will be done under the Alabama Department of Transportation’s Federal Aid Project. Much of the preliminary right of way work has been complete and the project is scheduled to be awarded later this month. The project will resurface Cowpens from Goldville Cutoff to Highway 22. “Each year the projects are rotated between the districts and this year was District 3,” said District 3 See COMMISSION • Page 3
Today’s
Weather
86 58 High
Low
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
“Contractors” recently laid down this gravel on the driveway of Diane Railey in Coosa County. Railey said she was approached by someone last week who had cement left over from pouring a basement and was willing to sell the left over to her for 75 cents a square. She signed a contract for cement but they brought just some gravel and dust instead.
TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE Locals should lookout for home improvement scams By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
You know what they say, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” That quote was the case last week with Kellyton’s Diane Railey when someone with a deal approached her. “A guy came up to the house a little before 9 a.m.,” Railey said. “He said they had some left over cement from pouring a basement nearby. He was offering to put on my driveway for 75 cents a
Lake Levels
485.97 Reported on 3/14/16 @ 4 p.m.
Linda Shaffer, REALTOR® C: 256.794.4641 • W: 256.329.5253 shaffer@lakemartin.net 5295 Highway 280, Alexander City, AL
6
54708 90050 USPS Permit # 013-080
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foot.” Railey was already questioning the deal but she called her husband. “I called my husband,”
Railey said. “He said it sounded like a good deal.” Railey then started to talk to the contractor again. “He had a contract that I signed and it said concrete on it,” Railey said. “I asked for a copy and he gave me one and it said concrete.” Railey left just before the contractors started to work to run errands. “I left but I called my brother to check on them,” Railey said. “He got here and called me telling me See SCAMS • Page 11
S STAFF REPORT TTPI Staff
Tallapoosa County saw its seasonally adjusted unemployment rate come in at 6.2 percent, up u slightly from December’s 5.7 percent, but consl siderably better than the 6.7 percent that was si posted in January 2015. p The county’s rate was on par with the state’s seasonally adjusted January 2016 unemployment se rate ra is 6.2 percent, according to a release from the Alabama Department of Labor and the office of A Gov. G Robert Bentley. “We remain committed to lowering Alabama’s unemployment rate, but we are even more u See JOBS • Page 3
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Several area businesses in Alexander City, including this unemployment agency, have “Now Hiring” signs out.
Alexander City Kiwanis Club brings the circus back into town By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Lake Martin
Jones said that once the investigation is complete, a determination would be made whether there would be criminal charges or if the matter would be presented to the grand jury. “I would think that in time it would be presented to a grand jury, but that is premature,” Jones said. No one would address where, or who See INVESTIGATION • Page 11
The circus is coming. No it’s not another political rally but something for kids of all ages with animals, fire-eaters and trapeze artists. “We are bringing the circus back again,” Alexander City Kiwanis member Cam Caldwell said. “This will be the fifth year we have partnered with the circus. This year it will be back at the football field parking lot at the Sportplex.” Unlike those rowdy
256-329-1313 Free Consultations 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.”
political rallies, this circus is kid friendly. “There will be animals for children to ride and pet,” Caldwell said. “Under the tent, there will be knife-throwers, fire-eaters, trapeze artists, clowns and more.” The Alexander City Kiwanis Club uses the funds to help fund its projects to benefit children and education in the area. The circus has performances scheduled for Saturday at 4:30 p.m.
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
The Alexander CIty Kiwanis Club will bring the Lewis and Clark Circus back to Alexander City this See CIRCUS • Page 3 weekend.
Bill’s Electric ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS
P.O. Box 673 1814 Airpor t Blvd • Alexander Cit y, AL
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