INSIDE TODAY: • Obits, 2 • Local, 2 • Opinion, 4 • Events, 5 • Religion, 6 • Sports, 12
Weekend The Outlook
FOOTBALL, 12
Wildcats once again facing rough schedule
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
May 12-13, 2018 Vol. 126, No. 95 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
Lucky break stops thief
Saving Sistas Live ladies pose for a photo with some items included in their auctions. Pictured, from left, are Sue Davini, Tabatha Wallace and Sandy Johnson. Below, Pam Tumlin of Nana’s Live Auction auctions off an item on her Facebook Live auction. Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
ACPD working to arrest man found responsible for multiple local storage unit break-ins By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
Alexander City Police Department investigators have solved a string of storage unit burglaries in the area. Mark Anthony Oldham, 36, of Attalla was identified as being responsible for breaking into at 14 storage units in Alexander City and units in Wetumpka, Millbrook and Prattville and there could be more. “The break-ins here have Oldham been since mid-April,” ACPD investigator Drew Machen said. “The others (in Elmore See THIEF • Page 3
SHOPPING AND A SHOW
US News & World Report releases latest school rankings
Local ladies having a ball with online auction business
BRHS finishes 54th in state By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
By MITCH SNEED Editor
I
magine a yard sale, thrift store, closeout shop and liquidation sale with the information superhighway running slap through it. For several groups of ladies across the area, they have created that very scenario. With names like Nana’s Live Auction and Saving Sistas Live, these ladies are using Facebook Live to broadcast live auctions where followers can bid and buy everything from candles, jewelry and sippie cups, to socks, home decor and fishing tackle. You name it, they’ve got it and at incredibly low prices. Tabatha Wallace, Sandy Johnson and Sue Davini are ladies from Tallapoosa County who have been doing the Saving Sistas Live auctions for the last five months. Through yard sales, couponing, shopping for closeout bargains and hitting thrift stores and estate sales, they
accumulate inventory and then go live with auctions on Tuesday night at 6 p.m. They are part Vanna White with a little flair to entertain thrown in, part comediennes and pretty good sales folks as item after item is held up for bargain hunters to consider. Followers are invited to join in the live stream and bid on items as they come up by posting the amount they will pay in the comments section. The bidding goes on until the item is sold, with the ladies explaining and describing the items and talking to bidders as they go. The bottom line is that dozens of people join in, look for something that strikes their fancy and be entertained. “It’s really like a big family shopping party,” Davini said. “We cut up and laugh and have a good time with it. See AUCTION • Page 10
U.S. News & World Report released its annual report of the best high schools in America earlier this week. In the state of Alabama, there were few surprises in the top 10, with Loveless Academic Magnet Program (LAMP) in Montgomery being named top high school in the state. At the same time, Benjamin Russell High School was awarded a bronze medal by the periodical, as well as being named the 54th best high school in Alabama. This recognition stood in direct contradiction to the state report card that was made available in early February, which gave BRHS a score of 69, only a step or two above the schools that were labeled “failing” by the Alabama Department of See RANKINGS • Page 3
City employees help with litter issue, could use more helping hands
Today’s
Weather
By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer
90 64 High
Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
Kirk Mickaels helps put up a warning sign for last month’s Clean Community Partnership Third Saturday cleanup. Once again crews will be out next Saturday picking up litter but there are ways to help in between the organized cleanups, Mickaels says.
Like many in Tallapoosa County, Kirk Mickaels is fed up with litter along the roadways. Mickaels, like many in the area came back to Tallapoosa County and Lake Martin to retire but is worried it may soon not be presentable to others. “We have a litter and trash problem,” Mickaels said. “It starts with 280. It is the gateway to our city and Lake Martin.” Mickaels works for the City of Alexander City and heads a litter cleanup team of two. He says they do great work but the public often does not think much of them. “They are great, but we can only do so much,” Mickaels said. “I have a crew that does this five days a week. They love it and are enthusiastic but we can be picking up litter and people will throw stuff at us because they think we are out doing community service or from one of the prison work crews.” Mickaels is like John Thompson and has a passion for trying to figure out a way to keep Alexander City
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