THURSDAY
THE
LOCAL, PAGE 5 ‘Spring is here’
SPORTS, PAGE 10 BRHS suffers 1-run loss
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
March 29, 2018 Vol. 126, No. 63 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
Alex City man arrested on sex abuse charges By MITCH SNEED Editor
An Alexander City man is free on $100,000 bond after being arrested on two counts of firstdegree sexual abuse. Alexander City Police Department Chief Jay Turner said that potential abuse of an underage female was reported to the investigators about a week ago and the resulting probe resulted in an
Kerley
arrest warrant being obtained for Spencer Lamar Kerley, 36, of Alexander City. “We received the complaint that alleged an underage female may have been inappropriately touched,” Turner said. “In cases like this we immediately start a process that includes a forensic interview with the alleged victim and counselors with the Tri-County Advocacy Center. “From there, we rely on the results of their findings to determine how we proceed. In this
case, the information led us to pursue a warrant and (Kerley) was arrested Tuesday afternoon.” Turner said that the complaint was filed by a relative of the girl but because the investigation is still active, no additional information could be released. Tallapoosa County Sheriff Jimmy Abbett confirmed that Kerley was booked into the Tallapoosa County Jail Tuesday and was released See ARREST • Page 3
Langford not returning as RES principal
Dadeville City Council listens to residents’ concerns and plans By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
Several Dadeville residents voiced their concerns about issues around the city, while others discussed plans regarding events to make Dadeville that much nicer at Tuesday night’s meeting of the Dadeville City Council. Residents Faye Nell Tinsley and Danny Hayes brought up the issue of dogs running free around town and causing problems in some cases. Tinsley said she has been confronted by a German Shepherd while taking the “You have out garbage, the right to and had a defend and pair of pit bulls on her protect porch over yourself the weekend. Hayes and your a property.” described trio of dogs —Wayne he has seen Smith near his that Dadeville mayor residence have attacked some of his cats in the past. Marrell Ward says he has seen these dogs as well, and believes them to be living in a wooded area above his house. Both Tinsley and Hayes wanted to confirm their rights regarding this issue, with Tinsley stressing she did not want to be charged with animal cruelty in the process of defending herself. “You have the right to defend and protect yourself See DADEVILLE • Page 3
By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
‘ONE LANE AHEAD’
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
“One lane road ahead” and other road caution signs will be a common sight around Alexander City as the city’s 2018 paving projects have officially begun. Top, Gary Ingram Grading and Paving works on Charlotte Road in Alexander City Wednesday as it is one of the 21 roads the city is repaving. Above, the Scott Road bridge replacement project is still underway as construction crews worked Wednesday.
Gov. Ivey signs Alabama Broadband Accessibility Act into law Wednesday STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey on Wednesday signed into law SB149, the Alabama Broadband Accessibility Act, authorizing the creation of a broadband accessibility grant program to be administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. The bill, sponsored by Senator Clay Scofield and Representative Donnie Chesteen, also creates the
Today’s
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76 54 High
Lake Levels
488.49
Reported on 03/28/18 @ 5 p.m.
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Gov. Kay Ivey signs the Broadband Accessibility Act into law Wednesday as ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell, Senator Clay Scofield and Representative Donnie Chesteen look on.
Alabama Broadband Accessibility Fund. In Alabama, there are more than 842,000 people without access to a wired connection capable of 25mbps download speeds. More than 1 million people in Alabama have access to only one wired provider and another 276,000 people in Alabama don’t have any wired internet providers available where they live. “The internet is vital to See BROADBAND • Page 5
Lake Martin
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Pam Langford will not be returning as the principal of Reeltown Elementary School for the 2018-2019 school year after the Tallapoosa County Board of Education took action on her contract during a special called meeting Monday. After the agenda was approved, the board went into executive session for just over an hour to discuss the matter at hand. Upon returning from executive session, Superintendent Joe Windle made the recommendation for Langford’s contract to not be renewed. A subsequent motion to follow this recommendation was unanimously approved by the board. Following the meeting, Windle explained that this vote of nonrenewal was not a termination of Langford’s contract, simply that the school board would not be bringing her back as principal, giving her the opportunity to resign or retire at the end of the school year. “I spoke with her earlier today, and offered her the opportunity to retire or the opportunity to resign at the end of her contract,” Windle said Tuesday afternoon. “She said she wanted some time to think it over and talk with her family and would be giving me an answer in writing tomorrow (Wednesday).” While Langford’s decision had not been officially announced by the school board as of Wednesday afternoon, Windle said Tuesday he felt Langford would retire or resign, though he was unsure which of those two potential choices she would make. Windle said late Wednesday afternoon that a decision would be made today.
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