SPORTS PAGE 10:
OPINION: YES THERE IS GOOD NEWS, PAGE 4.
FRIDAY
THE
Lady Trojans triumph at home
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
March 24, 2017 Vol. 125, No. 59 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
$561,594
Sandra Fuller celebrates after catching a touchdown pass in announcing the new theme for the next fundraising campaign: “Team United.”
UNITED WAY SURPASSES ITS LOFTY GOAL IN CAMPAIGN
Diane Lemmond, the chair of this year’s campaign, and next year’s campaign chair Sandra Fuller stood in for United Way Director Thursday night was a time to celebrate Sharon Fuller who was battling the flu. the fact that the Lake Martin Community all “We are here to celebrate, because there is pitched in to “Picture a Brighter Future.” good reason for a celebration,” Lemmond said. More than 120 people including representa“We had a goal of $535,000 and tonight we’d tives of the 27 United Way agencies marked the like to announce that the 2017 campaign total is Lake Martin Area United Way surpassing its $561,594.” fundraising campaign goal. See UNITED WAY • Page 7 By MITCH SNEED Editor
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Freeman found guilty of harassment
A CORNY LESSON
Former AU star fined over incident with ‘girlfriend/cousin’ By MITCH SNEED Editor
A former prep and college football star was found guilty of domestic violence harassment Wednesday after testimony alleged that he caused minor injuries to a female cousin that he apparently had an intimate relationship with. Alexander City Municipal Court Judge Randy Haynes found former Benjamin Russell and Auburn University football player Eltora Sanchez Freeman, 27, guilty after a 58-minute trial Thursday. Freeman was sentenced to pay a $250 fine and court costs and ordered him to stay away from the 20-year-old victim. Haynes suspended a 10-day jail term, provided Freeman doesn’t get in any trouble and complies with the stay-away order. Immediately after the verdict and sentence, Freeman announced to the judge and those in attendance that he wanted to appeal the decision. The woman said Freeman brought her to the home that he shared with his parents, but after the two argued, he left. And the girl went back inside. When Freeman returned the next morning, she testified that he started yelling at her. It was like he had to make a scene to make like I wasn’t supposed to be there so he wouldn’t get in trouble,” the woman testified. See HARASSMENT • Page 7
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
John David Ward samples roasted corn during P.E. on one of the health days with Jim Pearson’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.
Young students enjoy an ear full of education By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Physical education classes can be loud, especially with elementary students. Thursday, students in the P.E. class of Patricia Brooks at Jim Pearson Elementary were not only quiet at times but still too. Doing what one might ask? Eating roasted corn – some for the first time. “It’s good,” Kindergartner John David Ward said as he chewed up some roasted corn. The experience is something most of students get with
Brooks on Thursdays as she helps with the school’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. “We are feeding them fruits and vegetables separate from the lunchroom,” Brooks said. “I do it as part of my health day on Thursdays. Yesterday, we had fruits. We had bananas, pineapples, cantaloupe and Cuties. They ate almost all of it. We hardly had to throw anything away. “Some had never eaten raw vegetables. We have tried broccoli, bell pepper and other things that most would shy away from. Thursday, the students got something a little different – roasted corn from Steven Espi of Athens, Alabama. See CORN • Page 9
Russell Medical breaks ground on new urgent care facility By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
It has been in the works for seven years but now Russell Medical’s Total Healthcare and Urgent Care facility is on the fast track and will be open in October. Russell Medical staff and board members gathered Thursday around shovels to officially break ground on the new 12,000 square foot building that will house four primary care doctors and 32 employees. “It has been a long journey and we are proud to be here today,” Russell Medical CEO Jim Peace said at the groundbreaking. “It has been a part of our vision for a while.” The new building that will be visible from Highway 280 is a hybrid model
Today’s
Lake Levels
74 56
488.31
Low
Reported on 3/23/17 @8 p.m.
LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443 6
54708 90050 USPS Permit # 013-080
See URGENT CARE • Page 3
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Hospital officials and dignitaries turn the ceremonial shovels of dirt to symbolize the beginning of construction of a new urgent care facility on the campus of Russell Medical.
Lake Martin
Weather High
combining both primary healthcare and urgent care. “This is a hybrid plan and we are excited about it,” Russell Medical Primary Care Physician Dr. Bob Edwards said. “There is a need here and across America for when people get sick to see a doctor, to see a healthcare provider on something besides the normal business hour.” Edwards says this will not be an average urgent care. “In this hybrid clinic having the urgent care in the front part of the building is going to be great,” Edwards said. “It will be great to come to a place that has your medical records. A place where we know who you are and it makes a big difference when you need somebody.” Peace says the new facility is exciting
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laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL
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