OPINION: IT’S TIME FOR COMMON SENSE TO MAKE A RETURN, PAGE 4
TUESDAY
THE LOCAL, PAGE 2
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
‘The King’ returns for senior living visit
March 7, 2017 Vol. 125, No. 46 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
SPORTS, PAGE 10 Generals edged out by Knights
McAlister appointed fire chief, Thomas named clerk By MITCH SNEED Editor
A 21-year fire department veteran who has worked his way through the ranks was appointed Alexander City’s new fire chief and the council picked a current city employee to be the next city clerk. The council voted unanimously to appoint Interim Fire Chief
Reese McAlister to the position of chief for the remainder of a four-year term. The council decided to “buy local” in selecting Amanda Thomas to follow Harriett Scott as city clerk. McAlister, 46, has been with the Alexander City Fire Department since 1995 and was a deputy chief who was in charge of administration, EMS, training and HazMat. One of the
highlights of his 21-year career included being named Firefighter of the Year in 2007. He told the council that he planned to “lead from the front.” My daddy told me that you lead by being able to do everyone’s job,” McAlister said in an interview before the vote. “I have done it all. There’s not a job in this department that I haven’t done.” See COUNCIL • Page 3
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
Reese McAlister was appointed fire chief by the Alexander City City Council Monday Night.
McDaniel indicted on murder charge
Officials investigate suspicious Dadeville fire By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
By MITCH SNEED Editor
Authorities are looking into a suspicious fire Friday evening on Lafayette Street in Dadeville. “It is believed by me the fire was intentionally set,” Dadeville Police Chief David Barbour said. “We do not have any suspects in custody at this time.” Barbour said the cause of the blaze is under further investigation. “The state fire marshal will be here Monday,” Barbour said. “He should be able to determine the cause.” The Friday evening blaze drew help from across Tallapoosa County. “At 19:33 (7:33 p.m.) Friday, E911 received a call of a house fire at 1050 East Lafayette Street,” Barbour said. “Fire departments from Dadeville, See FIRE • Page 3
A Tallapoosa County Grand Jury in Dadeville has indicted Matthew Clate McDaniel for the Jan. 17, 2016 murder of Norman Dean Crayton and the victim’s family has filed a wrongful suit against the Dadeville businessman. Tallapoosa County Sheriff Jimmy Abbett McDaniel confirmed that the indictment was returned and that McDaniel was served on Friday. Rather than being taken into custody again, McDaniel continued on the same bond with the existing conditions remaining the same. Judge Kim Taylor had previously granted bond on Jan. 26 after legal issues in Auburn sent McDaniel back to jail. McDaniel had to post $350,000 and he was required to reside at a residence approved by the court. McDaniel is required to be at the residence between the hours of 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. As a condition of his release,
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
Work began Monday on the renovation to Hamp Lyon Stadium with excavators being used to tear out the old concrete bleachers.
FULL SPEED AHEAD
First phase of Hamp Lyon revamp begins By DONALD CAMPBELL Special to The Outlook
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
This home at 1050 East Lafayette Street in Dadeville caught fire Friday evening. The fire is suspected to be arson and is still under investigation.
No matter where you look in downtown Alexander City there are signs of progress in revitalizing the area and making it more vibrant and lively. Demolition of the concrete bleachers began on Monday, by way of an in-kind donation from Tallapoosa County. The Hamp Lyon work joins the nearly completed Broad Street Plaza renovation and a push to refurbish and restore several large murals on historic downtown buildings.
All the projects point to exciting things in the area, according to MainStreet Alexander City Director Richard Wagoner. The removal of the grandstands at the stadium is part of what Wagoner called Phase One on the renovations at Hamp Lyon. Phase One consists of the demolition, redoing the drainage system, and leveling off the field itself, which has a height change of four feet from one end zone to the other. This portion of the project, he explained, should be completed in time to See REVAMP • Page 3
See MCDANIEL • Page 3
River Bank finalizing work on new building By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
In just a few short weeks River Bank and Trust will be in their new building at the corner of Highway 280 and Elkahatchee Road. River Bank’s Randy Dawkins says customers will appreciate the new building along with the staff and it should be open in the first couple of weeks of April. Dawkins gave a quick tour Thursday showing the progress
of construction that includes many of the amenities that River Bank customers have grown accustom to – a place for the cookies and home like space. “This is your is living room with gas logs and a large screen television,” Dawkins said while pointing the features out. “Over here will be the station with cookies and coffee.” The new facility is a rock and brick façade 6,000 square foot building. Which is three times larger than the modular unit that the bank is currently operating
Today’s
Lake Martin
69 48
485.82
out of. The new building features a conference room and offices along with the teller line that backs up to the drive thru like most banks but Dawkins is looking forward to something a little different that will greet customers as they come into the bank. “This will be our feature wall,” Dawkins said. “We will use it feature art and other things. The ladies have already decided our Christmas tree will be in front
Hardwood Floors Ceramic Tile Carpet & Vinyl
Weather Lake Levels High
Low
Locally Owned for Over 45 Years
Reported on 3/6/17 @ 6:30 p.m.
256-234-6071
1945 Hwy 280 • Alexander City
LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443 6
54708 90050 USPS Permit # 013-080
8
laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL
HOLMAN FLOOR COMPANY “WE’RE
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Construction continues on the new River Bank and Trust building at the See BANK • Page 3 corner of Highway 280 and Elkahatchee Road.
THE PROFESSIONALS”