Weekend PAGE 4: FROM THE OUTLOOK STAFF, THANKS FOR HELPING US ‘DO IT RIGHT’
INSIDE TODAY:
n Obituaries, page 2 n Calendar, page 5 n Religion, page 6 n Classifieds, page 7 n Arrests, page 9 n Records, page 10 n Sports, page 11
The Outlook
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
March 3-4, 2018 Vol. 126, No. 45 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
LOCAL, PAGE 2
Officials respond to minor accident on Highway 280
Alex City Jail closure now official
Officials report no issues on first day of transferring inmates to county jail By MITCH SNEED Editor
The Alexander City Police Department officially closed its jail Thursday, with inmates now being
booked and housed at the Tallapoosa County Jail. An agreement was reached and a contract approved by votes of the Tallapoosa County Commissioners as well as the Alexander City Council. The council vote on Feb. 19 was the final hurdle in making the move happen. The contract calls for the city to pay a $50 book-in fee, $10 per day for meals, pay all medical costs for its inmates and provide transportation to the facility.
Alexander City Police Chief Jay Turner said the new procedure went pretty well for the first day, with no major snags reported. He thinks it will become even more seamless once it becomes routine. “It went very well,â€? Turner said. “We had four transports on Thursday and that was a municipal court day so that led to more than normal. For the first day, it appears that it is going to work well. They more See JAIL • Page 3
Council to consider approval of three big city events By MITCH SNEED Editor
Three big events that mean a lot to the city will come before the Alexander City City Council Monday night. The council will hear proposals to bring back the Strand Sessions Concert Series, the Blues in the Park concert as well as consider funding for this year’s Alabama Bass Trail tournament at Lake Martin. Strand Sessions is the brainchild of See COUNCIL • Page 3
Kiwanis Club donates new scoreboard to ‘Revamp the Hamp’
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DR. SEUSS Schools mark author’s 114th birthday in fun-filled fashion
By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
W
rapping up a whimsical week of events to remember famed children’s book author Dr. Seuss, local schools and Mamie’s Place Children’s Library celebrated the day in exciting fashion. There were treats, community readers and even a parade to honor the life of a man who entertained children with his whimsical books. Things were fairly quiet at Mamie’s Place late Friday morning, though the library staff said things would definitely be picking up once school let out. Thanks to the hard work of Maryshay Ray, Mamie’s Place patrons had the chance to pick out Thing 1 and Thing 2 cupcakes, See SEUSS • Page 3
Today’s
Weather High
Low
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
485.35 Reported on 03/02/18 @ 4 p.m.
LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443
laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL
6
54708
90050
USPS Permit # 013-080
Donald Campbell / The Outlook
Students at Jim Pearson dressed as their favorite literary characters for the character parade. Participants included several versions of the Cat in the Hat, Batman, a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle and Jack from “Jack and the Beanstalk,� center.
Senior Blitz prepares BRHS students for life after high school By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
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A new scoreboard is on the way at Hamp Lyon Stadium, thanks to a donation from the Alexander City Kiwanis Club. “This was the Kiwanis Club’s donation to the ‘Revamp the Hamp’ project,â€? said Kiwanis Club Immediate Past President Marvin Wagoner. “This will be for a scoreboard which will have the Kiwanis logo on it.â€? “Revamp the Hampâ€? is a project to renovate the old stadium and playing surface into something that can be used for athletic events and concerts to help attract people to downtown Alexander City according to Richard See SCOREBOARD • Page 3
Every hour on the hour Thursday and Friday, a new group of seniors at Benjamin Russell High School entered the gymnasium and made their way to one of a group of four tables, preparing for a series of interviews and resume reviews for the high school’s annual Senior Blitz event. “This is our fourth year doing this,� BRHS Principal Dr. Anthony Wilkinson said. “This is the most talked about event among our seniors,
the one they say has the biggest impact.� Rotating students into the gym every hour, Wilkinson said the seniors spend 15 minutes at a table while a member of the community asks questions as if the student was at a job or scholarship interview. The majority of that time is spent on the question and answer session, while the final three minutes gives the interviewer the chance to provide the student with feedback on the interview. With business See BRHS • Page 3
Donald Campbell / The Outlook
Dr. Beverly Price interviews a student during the Senior Blitz at BRHS Thursday morning. Senior Blitz gives 12th graders the chance to work on their resumes and interviewing skills for things like job and scholarship applications.
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