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Thompson pleads guilty to firing shot near daycare
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March 6, 2019 Vol. 127, No. 46 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
Carlisle’s to close, but not for long
Carlisle’s, currently run by the Champions, will be officially closed March 30. File / The Outlook
Radney hopeful a new tenant will be at historic business soon
By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Daneeka Michelle Thompson pleaded guilty Tuesday to firing a shot near children and possibly endangering them. Thompson, 27, of Kellyton was charged with first-degree attempted domestic violence and 10 counts of reckless endangerment in August 2018. Thompson pleaded guilty in front of Fifth Judicial Circuit Court Judge Ray Martin to first-degree attempted assault and the 10 counts of reckless endangerment and filed an application for probation. Assistant district attorney Kevin Hall told the court Thompson had no prior convictions. The recommended sentence for first-degree attempted assault is 60 months; however first-degree assault has sentencing guidelines to provide probation. The attempted assault charge has no law-provided guidelines. Martin allowed Thompson to remain on bond while it is determined if she qualifies for probation. Martin said he would also require Thompson to attend some type of anger management training as part of her sentence. Thompson even took an advertisment out in The Outlook shortly after the incident apologizing. Hall said the state could prove more than the 10 counts of reckless endangerment. “I think there were 26 children on the playground at the daycare,” Hall said. Alexander City police chief Jay Turner said in August Thompson fired a shot in the direction of a city employee who was cutting grass near the city pool and officers recovered a single 9mm shell casing. Children were also on the playground of a nearby daycare resulting in the reckless endangerment charges.
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486.61 Reported on 3/5/19 @ 6 p.m.
LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443
laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL
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By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
With its limeades and pimento and cheese sandwiches, Carlisle’s has been a mainstay in downtown Alexander City since it was opened in 1914 by Hoyt Carlisle, but Daniel and Lisa Champion announced Friday they are closing the historic business. “We considered the decision from a personal standpoint and we needed to make a change,” Daniel Champion said. “It is a painful decision to make but as you go through life things change.” The Champions have owned Carlisle’s since October 1997 and have run it for the last 21 and half years. The husband and wife team also own Hometown Pharmacy and operated two pharmacies in Carlisle’s and at Hometown up until a few See CARLISLE’S • Page 9
‘Staple of downtown’ Downtown businesses saddened by closing By GABRIELLE JANSEN Staff Writer
L
ocal business owners and residents said they were sad to see Carlisle’s announce its closure Friday. “I really hate to lose the soda fountain,” customer Mary Shockley said. “That’s just something you don’t see that much anymore anywhere.” Downtown Girl owner Beth Hayney said she hates to See SADDENED • Page 3
File / The Outlook
The soda fountain will stop operating March 16. Current building owners Larkin Radney and Kenny Riley hope to find a new tenant soon.
Wingler takes oath of office in New Site
Ivey calls special session for gas tax
By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Governor makes clear she wants action on roads, bridges
Leslie Wingler wasted little time Monday night as the newest member of the New Site Town Council. He was quickly involved in discussions and making motions in his first night on the job. “Mr. Wingler, we would like to welcome you to the council,” Mayor Phil Blasingame said. “We thank you for stepping up to serve.” Wingler replaces Bree Walton, who resigned as she moved outside the town limits. Town attorney Mack Clayton See WINGLER • Page 3
By JIMMY WIGFIELD Managing Editor
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Leslie Wingler, right, takes the oath of office from New Site town clerk Shelia Fuller prior to Monday’s council meeting. Wingler was selected to fill the vacancy left by Bree Walton, who resigned because she moved outside of the town limits.
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Moments after addressing the Alabama Legislature for the first time as the elected governor Tuesday night, Kay Ivey called a special session to propel a gas tax increase for the first time since 1992 to pay for massive infrastructure improvements. “Due to the dire need to act now, I am calling the Alabama Legislature into a special session, focused solely on passing this See IVEY • Page 9
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