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SPORTS, PAGE 10 Wildcat softball and baseball take to the diamonds
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CALENDAR, PAGE 5
March 21, 2018 Vol. 126, No. 57 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
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Cooper to resign at end of year
Alexander City Schools Superintendent Dr. Darrell Cooper announced Tuesday that he was planning to retire at the end of the calendar year in December.
Alexander City School Superintendent makes announcement to school board
By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
Alexander City Schools Superintendent Dr. Darrell Cooper is planning to retire at the end of the calendar year after five years at the helm of the school system. The announcement came during the monthly meeting of the Alexander City Board of Education Tuesday
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
evening and perhaps caught many in the Benjamin Russell auditorium off guard. “I want to officially announce that I am planning to retire as superintendent in December,� Cooper said. “There’s nothing wrong. I have enjoyed my time here, but I just feel that it’s time that I want to retire.�
He also said he wanted to go ahead and make this announcement now out of respect to the board, the school system and everyone in the community, so that there would be plenty of time to take all the necessary steps in filling the position come January 2019. Cooper was hired by the See COOPER • Page 3
Transformer fire causes power outage
Area escapes worst of Monday severe weather
Lightning blamed for issue at Lake Martin Community Hospital
Jacksonville, Cullman, Heflin among hardest hit areas
By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
By MITCH SNEED Editor
While severe weather ravaged parts of Alabama Monday night, leaving behind widespread damage, thousands without power and at least one reported death, Tallapoosa County escaped Mother Nature’s wrath. Local schools dismissed early, road and power crews were on standby and shelters were ready to be opened, but as it turned out Tallapoosa County only experienced a few periods of heavy rain and a little thunder and lightning. Tallapoosa County Emergency Management Agency Director Jason Moran said he was thankful that the preparation was not needed. “You can never prepare too much,â€? Moran said. “We were very fortunate because when you looked at those models over the weekend and even into the day yesterday, we were in the targeted area. “We dodged a bullet, because just See STORMS • Page 3
Jennifer Jaye Davis / For The Outlook
A transformer burns on the ground at the Lake Martin Community Hospital Tuesday morning. The fire caused the hospital to use its generator for power until repairs can be completed.
EGG-CELLENT DAY
New Site talks water issues, Mexican eatery
First day of spring brings return of urban myth By MITCH SNEED Editor
By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
The New Site Town Council discussed plans for progress throughout town during Monday night’s meeting. Despite the absence of Mayor Phil Blasingame, the council heard from a citizen wanting to add water lines for being able to build homes, listened to a business owner interested See NEW SITE • Page 3
All is fine at Lake Martin Hospital following a transformer fire Tuesday morning. The transformer supplies power to the facility and the fire caused the hospital to use other means to keep the lights on. “The auxiliary power did perfect,â€? Lake Martin Hospital’s Ashley Benton said of the backup generator kept on the property for just such occasions. “We continue to serve our community and meet their health care needs.â€? The fire started about 8:30 a.m. and was likely triggered by overnight storms. “The transformer was struck by lighting,â€? Benton said. See FIRE • Page 3
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
While an egg was stood on its end Tuesday, scientists said the feat can be done any day, not just on the first day of spring as a myth that dates back to 1945 indicates.
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Tuesday was the first day of spring and urban legend suggests that it’s the only day of the year where it’s possible to stand an egg on its end. After testing the theory out here at The Outlook, we can report that it certainly is possible to pull it off on the first day of spring. But before you get too excited, scientists say it has nothing to do with it being the first day of spring. It can be performed any day of the year.
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This trick most likely has to with the texture of the egg’s shell as a smoother shell probably won’t grip to the surface as well, and the skill of the egg handler. There are no changes in gravity alignment between the sun and the Earth, which has sometimes been attributed the eggs balancing specifically on the spring equinox. According to Accuweather, the myth was popularized in the United States following a LIFE magazine article in
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